Journey in Progress
Discovering music one album at a time
678
Albums Rated
3.32
Avg Rating
102
5-Star Albums
62%
Complete
411 albums remaining
Rating Speed
7
Per Week
679
Days Active
Reviews
677
Written
100%
Review Rate
vs Global
0.09
Avg Diff
3.32
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1950s
Favorite Decade
Rock-and-roll
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15
1-Star Albums
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Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moss Side Story | 5 | 2.53 | +2.47 |
| The White Room | 5 | 2.79 | +2.21 |
| Sweetheart Of The Rodeo | 5 | 2.83 | +2.17 |
| Songs The Lord Taught Us | 5 | 2.83 | +2.17 |
| 69 Love Songs | 5 | 2.85 | +2.15 |
| Survivor | 5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
| Broken English | 5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
| Kick Out The Jams (Live) | 5 | 2.91 | +2.09 |
| Will The Circle Be Unbroken | 5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
| Exile In Guyville | 5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstar | 1 | 3.47 | -2.47 |
| Vespertine | 1 | 3.17 | -2.17 |
| Third | 1 | 3.13 | -2.13 |
| Rid Of Me | 1 | 3.11 | -2.11 |
| Dig Me Out | 1 | 3.08 | -2.08 |
| Back To Black | 2 | 4.02 | -2.02 |
| Pet Sounds | 2 | 3.93 | -1.93 |
| You Are The Quarry | 1 | 2.86 | -1.86 |
| Arular | 1 | 2.83 | -1.83 |
| Arular | 1 | 2.83 | -1.83 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and high weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 6 | 4.83 | 4.22 |
| Fela Kuti | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| The Rolling Stones | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Beatles | 4 | 4.25 | 3.71 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| Johnny Cash | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| Beastie Boys | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and low weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.I.A. | 2 | 1 | 2.2 |
| Morrissey | 2 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
| Björk | 4 | 2 | 2.43 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently - higher variance means more mixed feelings
| Artist | Albums | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Hole | 2 | 1.5 |
| Love | 2 | 1.5 |
| David Bowie | 7 | 1.39 |
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 1.25 |
| Björk | 4 | 1.22 |
5-Star Albums (102)
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Popular Reviews
Beastie Boys
5/5
As great as Shake Your Rump is, this album really starts to explode with Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun and then doesn't stop schooling us until the end of the B-Boy Medley. UNESCO needs to recognize these guys as intangible cultural heritage or whatever it is.... Amazing.
12 likes
2/5
I worked on this archaeological dig in Israel where two guys who were in seminary to be monks were in charge of dealing with all the buckets of dirt we'd sifted through. They made a complete replica of Tolkien's hobbit shire out of these buckets of dirt. One time I accidentally walked in on them hanging their freshly washed underwear and even though they were fully clothed they were horrified that I saw their underwear on a clothesline. I bet they really liked this album.
6 likes
5/5
The energy here is insane and I dig it. The guitars are especially strong and keep things interesting when the music threatens to ramble on... I've already listened twice this morning.
5 likes
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
Innocuous ambient music to work by. Not sure why it's on this list but nothing awful. The title and the performer name are a little misleading for this work--I was expecting something a little more hiphop-y and dystopian. Instead it was like "music for cleaning out your email."
4 likes
Led Zeppelin
5/5
I feel as if this album should be prescribed--at least every 10 years put on headphones, lie down, and listen to this album a little more loudly than you might typically (to 11, duh). Feel your brain be cleansed as incredibly tight, expertly played pure rock swaggers through your skull. Enjoy the vocals for the sound and whatever you do, don't think too much about the lyrics.
4 likes
4-Star Albums (155)
1-Star Albums (15)
All Ratings
Snoop Dogg
3/5
Walked around Edgewood while listening. Not as good as I'd hoped and bummed by the language and misogyny. But could have been worse.
Nick Drake
3/5
quiet--Sean had one of his albums. Didn't really grab me but good music to fall asleep to.
Fela Kuti
5/5
loved it, esp Ye Ye De Smell. What a treat!
Paul Simon
3/5
enjoyed this blast from my childhood--remember checking it out. Still, not a great album. I think even then I was a little disappointed by it.
Louis Prima
4/5
very nostalgic! So much fun and great to hear The Lip again, especially. Good walking music too!
Public Enemy
4/5
Enjoyed listening to this as I walked around Edgewood on MLK Jr Day. Quite nice! I have this on cassette I think. Maybe a CD too. Aged a lot better than Snoop Dogg but a better album to start with too.
Orbital
2/5
reminded me of an early Groove Armada but perhaps they are contemporary. Not bad but not my thing either
Little Simz
2/5
not too interesting musically. I suppose a fresh voice but could have been more interesting.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
not my favorite album of his, but it's still a pretty good album!
Radiohead
3/5
ok, typical male lead singer voice of the late 90s early 2ks, some nice incorporation of electronic music though
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
good music for a hip brunch
Richard Thompson
3/5
prefer shoot out the lights but still pretty good
Iron Maiden
3/5
better than I thought it would be. some good guitar playing
The Stooges
5/5
great album which had some Doors-like moments. Amazing sax solo too. Really fun
Spiritualized
4/5
Cowboy Junkies are rehearsing but their female singer doesn't show up, so they decide to go hang with Jesus and Mary Chain but get waylaid by Luna. Probably as good as the best of these, maybe better. Still, a little too much fade, though the first few songs got off to a good start.
Sugar
3/5
I wanted this to be a little better than it was, but still it was pretty good. Felt like classic American rock, in a sort of Wilco vein, if Wilco had drunk a lot of coffee and taken an enormous shit before playing and so felt lighter and a bit happier, or maybe just more satisfied. I admire their way of teasing a rhythm out of a long string of words, just wish it was all slightly more memorable.
The Stone Roses
3/5
Great tight pop rock--hard to be both lush and tight at the same time--really good. Awful lyrics. Just awful. It doesn't help that I heard "I wanna be adored by you" as "I wanna be your dog." A rare album that would have been better, nearly, as an instrumental.
Iron Butterfly
4/5
got off to a great start but I need to finish listening to it!
The Prodigy
3/5
enjoyed this quite a bit, with the exception of the first song. good trance dance with a bit of the 80's spin me right round in there
The Black Keys
4/5
fun, bluesy, well done. probably should listen to it again. Nice!
M.I.A.
1/5
omg I hated this so much, I'm sorry. I did listen to \"Paper Planes\" after (which I heard before but didn't realize it was her, and I do like that song), but this album felt like a teenage girl making songs in her room which were about as good as the songs I'd make in my room when I was a kid. Seriously, the cantankerous bitch in me feels she got an easy pass on that album because she's a minority and female and it was a sort of \"fresh voice\" kind of thing--I dunno. Not impressed.
Os Mutantes
4/5
odd mix of a lot of 60s trends, kind of wandered through the early Beatles up to a few sort of Mama and Papa harmonies and then some wanky Doors keyboards and I never did figure out the language of most of the lyrics. I got the French and a few English lines, but is this Portuguese? Don't know; don't care; still a fun, if weird--dare I say mutant?--listen.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
Quite nice. Not my favorite of theirs (looking at you "almost cut my hair") but still good
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
4/5
mellow but with an edge. prefer this sort of style to Nick Drake, if that's even a compare. not sure I need to hear any more though
Dusty Springfield
3/5
she shines brightest on Do Re Mi and You Don't Own Me. Otherwise, as a debut album, I think she's still a work in progress (I miss you Preacher Man!)
The White Stripes
3/5
Must be an early album because it's not all that great. There are some wonderful moments where you can see what could be--thinking of the language in the first song about the dirty ground and the cute song about being friends (did I hear that in Napoleon Dynamite?) as well as a few other flashes of genius. Outside of those moments, it felt as if they were still trying on genres, riffs, playing with volume, borrowing sounds--none of this bad, just not yet a coherent unique sound. At times the plodding rhymes matched the plodding drums to form a sort of unfortunate march.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Loved this, especially all the samples or just references to other songs (i.e. the way that guy said "leavin'" a few times and you knew he was thinking of "Leaving on a Jet Plane", and am I right in that at some point they referenced Lou Brock?) Very cool. I really enjoyed this.
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
Great blues, just not quite as soulful as my taste--reminds me of Robert Cray Band: really proficient with a slightly faster and smoother sound than I like in my blues (or rock).
Roxy Music
4/5
Really liked this. So much fun! A little bit all over the place but still rocking where it needed to be.
Fiona Apple
3/5
I hadn't heard this before but did recognize a few songs. She's a great songwriter, and the music was tight. What kept tripping me up was her voice--she sounded like she was straining a lot to stay within her range and this ended up limiting the songs and the music. Maybe she needs a vocal coach or maybe she's like Dylan in that some of her songs would be best performed by someone who has a better range.
Beatles
4/5
Classic album with one side of greatness and the other side of not as great. Nice to hear the distinctive early Beatles sound again!
Yes
3/5
part of me wants to give this 5 stars because I believe they achieved their intention with this album: it's well executed, coherent, and consistent. The other part of me wants to give it 0 stars because I so much do not care for this type of music. I have no idea why anyone would listen to it. I can't imagine dancing to it and I don't think it's interesting enough to listen to on its own, and it's not ambient enough to be background. I'll cop out and give it a 3.
Rush
2/5
This was much less interesting than I wanted it to be. I didn't follow the rock opera as closely as perhaps I should have, and the songs on the second side seemed lame. I'm sorry, Rush-ians.
Slade
4/5
Wow, I enjoyed this WAY more than I thought I would. Maybe it's because I've had prog rock for the past two albums. Definitely dated and definitely a lot of fun. This is an album you play when you're really fucked up and can't find your Deep Purple. Is it me or was there a Talking Heads Psycho Killer vibe to "I won't let it 'appen again"? Chef's kiss to the bangs on shirtless dude on the cover.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
This really pissed me off. I'm tired of 1001 albums recommending a crappy first album when there are terrific later albums. Yet here we are. In Frank, Ms. Winehouse has yet to find her groove though there are glimmers of greatness, especially in the side B songs, such as "What is it about men." Her songwriting skills are as immature as her singing, but she will eventually (though not here) get there. The music is equally underwhelming; I can practically feel the musicians wanting to bust out of their sad little cage.
Waylon Jennings
5/5
This is why I'm doing this project. Loved it and I never would have thought I'd love a Waylon Jennings album. Fantastic in every respect.
The Temptations
3/5
"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is amazing, and there are some other good songs. "Run Charlie Run" is pretty hard to listen to. Torn on whether this is a 3 or a 4 by virtue of "Rolling Stone"
2/5
I'm afraid this one was lost on me. I didn't actively hate it though.
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
Reminded me a little of Nina Simone. Haunting but not my vibe.
Jimmy Smith
4/5
enjoyed this expertly subdued jazz. For me, no particular standout song, I just liked how the entire album felt like a bunch of great musicians were chilling, having a mellow time.
Simply Red
2/5
Album got off to a fun groove but then the soul vibe sort of thinned out, redeemed slightly by a nice cover of "Heaven" only to get destroyed by this horrible song Jericho. Now on the second side and I feel as if every song sounds like it was part of a Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, though I do recognize the "holding on" song. "Red Box" approaches "Jericho" in awfulness in terms of lyrics, which is too bad because they can groove.
Nina Simone
3/5
As much as I appreciate her style and substance, I'm just not a big fan of her music. I wouldn't turn it off, but I'm not sure how much I'd turn it on either.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
4/5
I'm giving this a 4 because I appreciate the attempt, and it made me laugh, and it didn't last all that long. Also because I suspect if I were on acid it might have blown my mind.
Steely Dan
4/5
I'm not a Steely Dan fan yet somehow I recognized nearly every song on this album, so I've got to give them credit for sneaking their way into the vernacular.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Amazing album which still sounds fresh, though I'll admit to never really liking "Black Angel's Death Song" all that much. But every other song is stellar and the guitars, the way it was recorded, and Nico's voice add so much texture and dimension--just superlative.
Aimee Mann
3/5
I enjoyed her lyrics more than I enjoyed the music or her voice--not that there was anything really wrong with those, but they didn't stand out as much as her lyrics where are really good. I'm not sure I would listen to this again, and no one song really stood out to me, though I have to give her credit for writing a song about Jacob Marley.
Sex Pistols
4/5
Aged much better than I expected!
Björk
4/5
What a strong debut! The music is terrific throughout; loved the drums on the first two songs especially and the layered sound in Venus as a Boy. Only weakness to me is her singing style and, at times, her voice (esp in Like Someone in Love)--I love the power of her voice just wish sometimes she worked more with the flow of the music rather than against it, and occasionally she doesn't hit her note.
Pink Floyd
5/5
shine on you crazy diamond indeed.
Nico
2/5
The French have an expression "belle laide" which refers to a woman who is both beautiful and ugly and this is how I feel about her singing. I have no idea why this album is on this list. I bet Lenny Bruce would have laughed his ass off if he'd heard that eulogy.
Sam Cooke
5/5
Instant party. God bless you.
David Bowie
1/5
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
This just isn't my cup of tea, or cup of Cuban coffee. I remember it made a huge impact when it came out!
Bob Dylan
5/5
Probably my most listened-to Dylan album despite it having Rainy Day Woman, a song I'm happy to never hear again. But that's not Dylan's fault! With songs like Visions of Joanna, Sad-Eyed Lady, Sooner or Later, I Want You, and Stuck Inside of Mobile, it's easy to see why Dylan got a Nobel Prize. I'm giving this one a 5 due to the greatness of the great songs, though it does have a few weak spots.
The Pretty Things
4/5
Wow, this was a treat. I can't believe this was my first listen. I'm sorry, Pretty Things, that you were so ahead of your time. I wonder how much they influenced the Beatles? or maybe vice versa. Regardless, I really enjoyed it.
The Everly Brothers
4/5
Really enjoyed this and not just because my 6th grade science teacher, Phil Everly, was their cousin. Their version of Love Hurts is esp great, though nothing can rival the Parsons / Harris version. I also like Lucille a lot--perhaps a tip of the hat to Pretty Woman?--not sure of the chronology. Only the first song and the album titled seemed dated to me.
The Offspring
3/5
One of reasons I'm enjoying this project is to learn, finally, who sang that song I hated. Also, now I realize the source of that male lead singer sound I associate with the 90s--this dude. Along with the singer in Weezer. They should be put in an arena and whine to the death.
I am grateful that the lyrics to "Smash" did not include the line I heard as "I'm not a tranny asshole, I don't give a fuck." And I did actually enjoy the song "Gotta Get Away," and hearing the other songs I recognized was sort of fun.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
Nice recording with good musicians but I just never got that into it
Serge Gainsbourg
1/5
I'm sorry. I can't. Don't hate me.
Iron Maiden
3/5
better than I thought it would be. some good guitar.
Miles Davis
3/5
A lot going on--I like Kind of Blue more.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
5/5
What a privilege to hear this record. I don't know Spanish so quite a bit flew over my head but the music is fantastic and I love the little nods to different genres, e.g. the bit of disco in the first song, and later the West Side Story nod, as well as the big band bits. These guys are large and in charge!
5/5
probably one of my most-listened to albums of all time.
Thelonious Monk
4/5
enjoyed but wasn't blown away by this
Steely Dan
3/5
I did not enjoy this as much as I did "Aja." None of the songs seemed as good to me as the best on Aja, and I didn't get into the backup chorus sound.
Public Enemy
3/5
Got off to a great start with lots of references to the amazing It Takes a Nation of Millions... but then it didn't deliver much beyond a reworking of their earlier stuff. I enjoyed it but it's not great the way A Nation of Millions is.
The Isley Brothers
4/5
I'd kind of forgotten about the Isley Brothers until I heard this--so much fun. I love the guitars and the extended version of Summer Breeze.
Le Tigre
4/5
I've always loved Deceptacon but never listened to this album before. Lots of fun energy and smart lyrics make it entertaining though overall it feels a little more Hot Topic than hot music.
Donald Fagen
3/5
I didn't have much of a reaction to this--I was working as I listened to it and it was pleasant and unobtrusive and there were only a few minutes where I stopped to listen again or to start over--so not much of an impact on me.
Green Day
3/5
I kept expecting them to break into the theme song from "Friends"
Paul Simon
3/5
I remember checking this album out from the public library when I was a kid and even then I was a little disappointed by it
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Enjoyed this so much more than I expected to. Fun shades of early rock and blues, only regret is the "singing dolphin" style of the voices.
Django Django
2/5
listened to the whole album but it never interested me
Air
4/5
never listened to Air before and enjoyed the vibe. I think this would be a great album to listen to while driving at night.
Justin Timberlake
1/5
I thought this would be a lot better. I mean, I thought I probably wouldn't like it but I had no idea it would be this bad.
The Youngbloods
3/5
I enjoyed it but it didn't grab my attention too often. If it came on the radio, I would have listened to it, wondered who it was, thought fondly of it, and then probably never listened again.
Napalm Death
2/5
Wow that was a thing. And it could have been worse. It could have been longer. And, actually, worse.
Alanis Morissette
3/5
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would, but I wish her voice had a little more flexibility.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
great voice wish she had better taste
Bonnie Raitt
4/5
not exactly to my taste but solid album. I owned this in the early 90s during a period where I owned only a boom box and a few cassettes and this was one of them so I listened to it a lot more than I would have otherwise.
Radiohead
3/5
it was fine; none of Radiohead so far has ever gotten my attention. I didn't like the way they recorded it (or maybe it's my headphones?)--sounded deliberately hissy and fuzzy to me.
Def Leppard
2/5
occasionally it was better than I expected
Joni Mitchell
3/5
got off to a rough start, esp with the Jungle song but picked up with some nice jazz tones toward the end.
T. Rex
4/5
Giving it a 4 mostly on the strength of Get It On which is such a great song. The other songs weren't up to that level but some weren't too bad
Travis
3/5
I'd never heard of them before. Like a proto-coldplay. I kept hoping they would break into a really good song--they always seemed on the verge but then never quite there.
Baaba Maal
3/5
feel like a location scout reviewing this: not something I would listen to regularly but rather use strategically for atmosphere or in a particular setting.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Love, I can see this becoming one of my car cds where I just listen to it obsessively for a year or two. Much better than I'd thought it would be.
Kanye West
2/5
no words
Elvis Costello
3/5
Elvis has this thing where he decides if he just sings things in certain ways they're automatically melodic and they just aren't. Pony St. is an example of this but he does this so much that I wonder if maybe the songs of Elvis I actually do like are accidents. Perhaps I don't really like Elvis, just the few "off" songs that happen to match my taste.
This is my first time listening to this album and I read "kinder murder" with a German understanding of "kinder" and I'm a little bummed that the song isn't about killing kids.
Now he's on 13th steps and I'm quite happy. This is the Elvis I like, nay, love. Thank you, Elvis!
This is hell is pretty funny; Just About Glad and All the Rage are also good.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
my ex used to listen to this album and so I've already paid my dues. I'm sure it's fine if only I could remember it....
Van Halen
4/5
lots of fun though not too my taste. Guitar's great and I love the bouncy drums.
Kings of Leon
4/5
Never listened to them before and really liked their style and sound. I'll be listening to this one again.
Don McLean
4/5
hadn't listened to this album in decades--used to check it out from the library when I was a kid. Enjoyed the whole thing, though, Vincent and American Pie are clearly the best of the bunch.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
So disappointed. It's like he channeled Rex Harrison and just talked his way through it.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
I don't really even like the Nick Cave songs that I pretend to like and none of them were on this album so what's a girl to do? I'm giving him a 3 because at least it was well-executed.
Fishbone
4/5
omg I enjoyed this so much. Lots of fun funk, good guitar, humor in a few lyrics, and always rocking.
4/5
I usually listen to the Kink Kronikles which are great but this was a wonderful reminder of what you miss when you listen to a compilation. Great album with the usual mix of highs and low but they stay on theme and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
The White Stripes
4/5
terrific--liked this album much more than the other white stripes on the list.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Fantastic album that blew my mind the first time and still does. Manic depression is one of my favorite Hendrix songs.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
this was fine. Occasionally the lyrics interested me, occasionally the music got my attention, but mostly it sort of ran in the background.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
This was more rocking than I expected and I really liked it. I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad that I couldn't understand the lyrics.
Haircut 100
3/5
this album reminded me of how hard it is to make good pop music
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
I remember buying this album when it first came out and not liking it all that much. The lead singer's voice is gorgeous but the songs didn't grab me, with the exception of "Rescue."
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
not my thing
Radiohead
4/5
dense, lush, layered, probably missed a lot of the references but this album seems a lot more interesting than the other two albums by them I've heard (The Bends and Hail to the Thief). Worthy of a few more plays!
Basement Jaxx
3/5
Enjoyed this--good background music which was both upbeat and occasionally entertainingly distracting. Not at all spacey, which I liked.
George Michael
3/5
the music shines, crackles, pops and Michael's voice is fab if only if only if only the lyrics were stronger. A George Michael / Robyn collab would've been amazing. And is Robyn on this list? WTF?
Neil Young
4/5
This was a surprise in that I'm surprised I liked it so much. I figured I'd already heard all the good Neil Young songs, though I now realize that no, I've heard the best Neil Young songs... I felt it was blessed with a hint of Bob Dylan in places...
a-ha
2/5
I only listened to the first 6 songs and none were as fun and pop-y as Take on Me. In fact, they kind of sucked and were a little inane. So I stopped listening. Sorry Aha
The Verve
4/5
Torn on this because I really love the first two songs and the rest of the album seems like a pale imitation. I'm giving it a 4 for those two songs (Bittersweet Symphony and Sonnet). Really wish Velvet Morning has been a remake of Some Velvet Morning....
Van Morrison
5/5
Few albums summon a vibe, an atmosphere, an era as well as this one does. Too bad Van Morrison seems to be a jerk irl.
Little Richard
5/5
I'm not sure it's possible for me to appreciate this album or its impact given that I grew up hearing music like this--it never was fresh in the way it must have been to be an adult and hear music like this for the first time. Still, the swinging piano, sax, vocals, everything are so expertly done in this casual offhand way... genius!
John Martyn
4/5
trippy in that the lyrics and music seemed to trip, stumble, and fall along, but in a good way. I'd never hear of this guy nor of the album and at first blush I worried I'd be listening to whales, but the Island label usually comes through. Really enjoyed it, though could have done without the big muff song.
PJ Harvey
3/5
I respect PJ but don't actually enjoy her music that much
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Some great songs, especially Stir it up and Stop that train, but I disliked a few other songs so in balance, we've got a 3.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Uneven album but I love the musical range and when he's on, he's on fire! Enjoyed this more than I expected to.
B.B. King
5/5
I loved this so much.... and I immediately need to go out and hear live music regularly. I miss living in Chicago!
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
first few songs soared by but Yesterday When I was Mad caught my ear, as well as Theatre, the next song. After that, the other songs continued bopping along, maybe One in a Million stood out too. In general, not to my taste, and I do wish they would make better use of the backing vocals (Go West felt a little Village People-ish and elsewhere the backing felt a little like a sports chant).
David Bowie
4/5
This was never one of my favorite Bowie albums so it's probably been decades since I last heard it, if ever. I liked the funky, muddy Beauty and the Beast and Heroes is awesome, naturally, though sounds a little wheezy. Not much else grabs except for V-2 Schneider, though in general all of side two is fine as ambient music. Entire album feels like a transition for a great artist: new sounds & instruments and sometimes it works and sometimes, well, sometimes you get "Secret Life of Arabia." Have to give it a 4 just for Heroes though.
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Until I listened to this album, I didn't realize I knew, and liked, quite a bit of Fatboy Slim! A couple of great dance songs with a few not-as-good beats.
Soft Machine
2/5
A bunch of wankers wanking. The last tune (and I use this term loosely) was the best of the bunch. Maybe I should have hit the bong before listening.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
I was 13 when this album came out and I checked it out from the public library. I liked it well enough to listen to it a few times and then never listened to it again until today (05.14.2024). If Fleetwood Mac came on the radio, sometimes I listened, sometimes not. Whatever. But when I looked at the track listing today, I was blown away by how many great songs are on this album. Nearly every album has a few weaker tracks: here there's Oh Daddy and that's about it. Impressively fun pop.
Hole
5/5
I hate to say how much I loved this album. Hate because everything I've read or seen about Courtney Love suggests she's a narcissistic bully but what can I do? This isn't about her. So far, this album, Steely Dan's Aja, and the Fela Kuti album are the only "new-to-me" albums from this project that I've listened to multiple times.
Brian Eno
3/5
Sky Saw got off to a good start until the singing happened... rest of the album was better but never as good as I wanted it to be.
4/5
classic country! Great songs, though most of them are covers (I think). There was a moment where I could almost see her in a duet with Buddy Holly but then I woke up.
3/5
I like the music more than I liked the songs themselves--their way of singing didn't resonate with me.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
I'm sure they have many fans because they seem to write and perform perfectly fine tunes which just don't capture my interest.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
His voice was a real detractor for me--I didn't like its thin meandering quality. The music meandered a bit too, too much for me. I'm upgrading this from a 2 to a 3 because I did enjoy the Positively Bob tribute.
Fela Kuti
4/5
This album gave me a huge burst of energy and picked up my mood despite its critical, political content. I love his rhythms and orchestrations and general vibe here though I like his live album with Ginger Baker more.
Robbie Williams
4/5
Robbie Williams was new to me and I'm really impressed with his songwriting, singing, and general vibe. Clever guy who seems to have fought a few demons.
Boston
3/5
Really consistent album--strong sound and production. I'm impressed with how well I remember these songs given that I didn't particularly like them when they came out. My nostalgia makes me want to give it a 4 but the teenage snob in me says give it a 3.
Laibach
2/5
Only two songs in and I'm resisting the desire to march, march, march away. I just realized I hate industrial music more than I hate zydeco.
Dolly Parton
2/5
I'm not too familiar with Dolly Parton's oeuvre as we say but Nashville is my favorite movie of all time and I actually listen to its soundtrack as if those were "real" songs, meaning I actually enjoy the inanity of lines like "we must be doing something right to last 200 years." So when the title song to this album started I immediately turned to the track list of Nashville to figure out which song was imitating this one, and then as her album progressed and as I kept looking at the Nashville listing, I realized how beautifully they align. I'm listening to The Mystery of the Mystery right now, and well, I think the title speaks for itself. Honestly, I think Nashville's better because it's got two bonus tracks: It don't worry me and I'm easy. I'm sure Dolly has great songs and albums but I don't think this is one of them. Early Morning Breeze is the only standout (which aligns with Bluebird on Nashville, fyi). Tell me that A Better Place to Live is not Keep a-Going.
Brian Eno
4/5
Between David Byrne and Philip Glass is Brian Eno and this collaboration makes the chain complete. It is true that my 80s anxiety and angst came out with Mea Culpa and I almost had a nervous breakdown but this is part of the trip. Ah, good times... And with some serious funk making the avant garde bits more interesting than indulgent
Rahul Dev Burman
3/5
I need more context. I looked this guy up and he's made hundred of Bollywood-style movies; maybe he invented this genre? That's amazing but I'm not sure why this album / soundtrack? of all the hundreds he's done. The Western sampling in a few songs is cute but, again, not sure how groundbreaking or interesting any of this is.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
A little more laid back than Are You Experienced and still terrific. Bold as Love is my favorite track, with Castles in the Sand and Spanish Castle Magic also good.
Grizzly Bear
3/5
I listened to this on a plane and maybe it was the ambient noise but this album seemed fine but didn't make much of an impression.
Violent Femmes
3/5
Jonathan Richman's angsty quirky spawn. I like their homespun sound and I think there was a xylophone in there at some point. And, as with Jonathan R., I enjoyed a song or two and then felt happy to move on (though I did listen to the whole thing).
Willie Nelson
3/5
mellow versions of older pop standards. I enjoyed Willie's stylings but wasn't blown away (nor did I think I was intended to be).
Elton John
2/5
Managed to avoid Elton until now, though not for any particular reason other than that the songs I heard never compelled me to listen to more. Is it just me or do he and Cher, at times, sound alike? Never before realized that he's singing Levon and not "leave on." Tiny Dancer has not gotten better with age. I suspect there's an Elton John album I would like because I do like "Rocket Man" but this album is not the one for me.
5/5
Lush, layered, symphonic, and what a terrific voice for the lead singer. Never heard this before, so I've missed out. Thought Hoodoo was the weakest link until I heard the "loved for who I am/ missed the opportunity to be a better man." So romantic!
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
The fuzzy quality to the sound made me question my headphones. I appreciate their consistency more than I do their music, which is solid, just not for me.
Muddy Waters
5/5
love love love I am so unworthy of Muddy Waters.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Not a huge Sinatra fan--he never sounds quite as loose as I think he wants to sound. Still, can't complain--he's working it here. But the orchestra is fabulous. I wish the whole album was just them riffing off these standards. Feels like Sinatra's reigning them in.
Deerhunter
5/5
Never heard of them before. They couple bouncy pop with quirky background sounds and slightly fuzzy vocals--reminds me of the kind of band only the cool kids knew about. Basement Scene sounds like the Everly Brothers on acid, and what's not to like about that? Elsewhere, they sound like the sadly pissed-off children of Jesus and Mary Chain who wished their parents let them outside to ride bikes like the other kids. Nice sax in Coronado! He Would Have Laughed is a beautiful end to an album that has definitely been a journey--a good one.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Sometimes a little too "concept" heavy (eg Voices of Old People and Old Friends in particular). Bookends the song / theme is beautiful, and throughout they punch up their folksy acoustic sound with bright electric bursts of great pop. Hazy Shade of Winter is so so good, it alone warrants the 5
Michael Jackson
3/5
I wanted to like this so much more than I did--I'm not a big Michael Jackson fan though I love a few of songs, just not the ones on this album (though Man in the Mirror is great)
The Magnetic Fields
5/5
I bought this soon after stumbling across "Papa Was a Rodeo" and once drove from Seattle to Durham NC listening only to 69 Love Songs. I stopped off at Jimmy's in Chicago for a beer and when I sat down at the bar, the bartender put on a CD before taking my order. It was Vol 1 of 69 Love Songs.
The Pogues
2/5
Talented musicians who enjoy crude riffs off traditional Irish folk music. After a song or two, I grew less interested. Grateful this album doesn't have their xmas song about the drunks in lockup.
Pixies
5/5
Just the boost I needed this morning: thick bouncy rocking pop with quirky lyrics--lots of fun packed into 33 minutes. Gigantic was the only song I recognized and what a great song that is. This is an album I'll definitely listen to again. Thank you, Pixies!
MGMT
4/5
off to a great trippy, pop start though I wish the sound wasn't quite as fuzzy. Love the 70s nostalgia in Electric Feel. Worried that the album was taking a dive with the song after Kids but then Pieces of What came on and was happy again. Terrific album: each song feels like a blend of influence and innovation. Only complaint is that the title sounds like it came from Harry Potter.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
breezy referential British pop that's not to my taste but is well done
Prince
4/5
Not my favorite Prince album (I'm I the only one who likes 1999 best?) but I love his guitar. Wish the drums felt a little more natural.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
I'm digging the mid-70s vibe to it--surprised this is from 2019! Kiwanuka's voice is rich and heartfelt. Beautiful album.
Khaled
3/5
I enjoyed the mix of styles and languages on this album.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Chain of Fools and Groovin are the standouts here. Never been a fan of Natural Woman.
David Bowie
5/5
love this album, smooth laid back soul sound which is a little different from the Diamond Dogs and Ziggy Bowie and still terrific. Young Americans and Fame are especially awesome and Fascination is also great.
The 13th Floor Elevators
4/5
I'd never associated the name of this band with "You're Gonna Miss Me"--for some reason I thought the 13th Floor Elevators were a late 80s/early 90s band. So I wasn't all that excited to listen but the minute the first song started, my mood brightened. Rocking greatness! Love the harmonica. And now I'm being led down a mossy acid path into the rest of the album.
Quick takes: Quite happy though Roller Coaster isn't as good a ride as "You're Gonna Miss Me."
I wish Eric Burdon was singing Splash One instead of the guy who is.
Reverberation would be better if they muttered "and dance" each time after they said reverberation.
Don't Fall Down is quite earnest and I dig it.
Fire Engine brings everything together: rock rhythm, kind of bad vocal effects (is someone trying to imitate a fire engine?), urgent vocals--like if you'd only listen the world would be a much better place, and most importantly, just lots of fun. I want to play it loud and do the frug while some dude sings about taking a trip to an empty place.
Through the Rhythm reminds me of an earlier question: what is that sound that sounds like someone is doing the scales up and down with their lips? Is that what that is? Omg it just started again with You Don't Know. What is that sound? I heard it earlier but tried to get it out of my mind. I just looked them up on wikipedia and omfg that sound is, I believe, an ELECTRIC JUG. Nothing says 60s more than an electric jug. Also, I do not like Electric Jug. I do not like it.
Onto Kingdom of Heaven--a slow burn which sounds like something they play on the ABC Afterschool Special on the dangers of drugs: heroine puffs pot and next thing you know she's swirling around the stars as the Kingdom of Heaven plays.
Monkey Island--This is a little more bluesy omg someone is now making little monkey sounds. What is it with the 60s and monkeys? Monkees, Kinks' Apeman, Planet of the Apes, etc.
Tried to Hide reminds me that I do not like Electric Jug.
I think their rhythms and guitar work is really outstanding. Downgrading for the jug.
The Police
2/5
Never been a big Police fan, but they've aged well, or I haven't. I like Message in a Bottle more than I did before, though the rasta sound Sting assumes is unfortunate. And as the album progresses, I realize again that I'm not really a Police fan. Just not that into them. However, I hung in there until Any Other Day came on and then, listening to it, decided life's short and stopped turned the whole thing off.
The Cardigans
3/5
First time listen. Song #1 is an odd and interesting blend of swirling sixties sounds (think soundtrack to A Man and a Woman) with some nice electric riffs. I wish the singer's voice, the lyrics, and the flute were all a little better. The 2nd song is just stupid in the way that 90s song about being a bitch is kind of stupid. Now it's continuing, so this is how it's gonna be: trite lyrics sung in a girly voice with some great instrumentation. Things pick up with Step On Me but I question my commitment to this sparkle motion. Lovefool's on and, yep, I've heard this one and congrats Cardigans, you just got another star because this is really good.
Pulp
5/5
Wow, seriously great album. Sorry I missed out on Pulp when they first came out--they're terrific. First time new-to-me music reminded me of David Bowie.
Adele
4/5
Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You, I'll Be Waiting, and the cover of the Cure's Lovesong are terrific. Elswehere I think she oversells it but small complaint. I don't think this album is overproduced but her voice, persona, everything is so huge that I'd love to hear her in an even more laidback role.
Bob Dylan
5/5
I never listened to this album before but I know so many of the songs I'm once again blown away by his Nobel-prize-winning genius. What a gift. So many amazing songs, lines, etc. Before, if I listened to an album of his rather than a compilation, I'd listen to Blonde on Blonde but I think I need to switch to this one for a while--beautiful album and there's no need to skip the overplayed Rainy Day Women on this one.
David Bowie
3/5
never one of my favorite Bowie albums but I'm enjoying the jazzy stylings in the title track and the piano throughout the album is great (almost as if he just discovered the piano). Music bounces, rocks, rolls, and drives though Panic in Detroit, Cracked Actor, andthe Let's Spend the Night Together cover though the songs themselves aren't so great. Time is weak but builds to occasional great spots. Jean Genie is the Bowie I know and love.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
5/5
For about 2 years this was the only album I listened to while driving. It was all I needed.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
much better than I expected given the name but I am sorry it's not dandier. I liked the fuzzy sound of the album and thought the first four songs were terrific, and then it just became a little more of the same. torn between a 3 and a 4 on this one.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Their name is accurate and this is unfortunate.
Bob Dylan
5/5
It was probably around 1978 and I was babysitting. I checked out their record collection and I had to choose between this and Bread's "Baby I'm a-want you." So glad I chose Dylan. What a great album. From "A Hard Rain" to "Don't think twice" to "Blowin in the wind" to "Girl from North Country" to "Masters of War"--blows my mind how good a writer he is.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
I've never been a fan of them --I listened a bit when their song "Spellbound" was big and they just didn't appeal to me and still don't. When I listen to them, I feel like a woman is yelling at me while a bunch of people mess with instruments.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
love this album--I bought it when it first came out and it still sounds great. Their funky rock works throughout and their bass player is amazing, in addition to Keidis (sp?) great vocals.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
laid back political album has aged well. Such a cool approach to the Black Power themes, I could listen to this album all day long.... love the drums especially.
Nas
3/5
The first three or so songs were the best--especially the trumpet solo on Life's a Bitch. Lyrics throughout are really strong complicated raps with the usual explicit language--crazy rhyme schemes! I don't think the music stands up to the raps though and there isn't too much here that sticks with me after it's over. I looked Nas up after it was over and read that he was only 20 when it came out--impressive debut.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
First song's the best, some great guitar and instrumentals throughout but most of the songs aren't that interesting or memorable
Led Zeppelin
5/5
I'm not sure what it takes to get in the headspace to create and perform this album but whatever it took was worth it. Amazing, gritty, raunchy journey from start to end.
Neil Young
5/5
Think I'll pack it in and buy a pickup--great start to a great album. Whenever I hear it, I'm taken back immediately to the apartment where I first heard it. Such nostalgia! No idea what it would sound like to someone hearing it for the first time these days... Still, terrific.
The Go-Go's
3/5
I respect this more than I did when it first came out but I'm still not a fan.
Hookworms
4/5
never heard of them before and despite the awful band name and album title, I really enjoyed this! Sort of surreal, sort of ambient, sort of rock adds up to a mellow and interesting album. Easy on the ears without being boring.
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
Great piano-led jazz trio playing beautifully. Wish I could have been there, though I don't think I have the ears or understanding to fully appreciate it.
Stan Getz
4/5
for fans of the soundtrack to A Man and A Woman.... the second side that features Jobim is weaker to me. I love Getz sax tone--not that I know anything about that--just sounds distinctly breathy and laid back to me.
Simple Minds
3/5
unobtrusive for better and for worse.
Sleater-Kinney
1/5
Wow. This really sucks. Seriously, it's an insult to musicians everywhere. It's not even bad in a good way. It's just stupid. I made it as far as halfway through "Words and Guitar" and than I cracked. I do love the name though; I remember seeing that exit on I-5 around Olympia and doing a double take.
Deep Purple
4/5
I've always liked Smoke on the Water but if this is our only Deep Purple album, then I wish it had Hush on it, though I suppose that earlier album is worse overall. This was pretty good--also liked Pictures of Home a lot.
Red Snapper
2/5
in Shell Back is the woman repeating "she's gonna get me like cheese barn"? asking for a friend. The entire album made me feel a little nauseated.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
my favorite songs have an element of Velvet Underground to them, a sort of pared down repetitive thrum with Karen O's voice--this works. Most of the time, though, it doesn't really, not for me.
Beatles
5/5
I'm embarrassed to admit that I've probably only listened to this album once before. I think I probably put it on when I was 11 or 12 and didn't care for it as much as the others and so that was that. So listening to it now was like hearing it for the first time, which was a treat. I have to give it 5 stars for the standout songs (Eleanor Rigby, Good Day Sunshine) but as an album it doesn't cohere as well as most of their others.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
I liked this more than I thought I would. I thought I would hate it. Giving it 3 because I do like Solsbury Hill.
Happy Mondays
2/5
They sound like they're capable of making good music, just not on this album. The first song was offensive, the rest just not that good, though I appreciate how they can maintain a groove.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
5/5
love this album. I think Deja Vu might be my favorite album of theirs but this one is still a classic.
Marty Robbins
5/5
this was a lot of fun--a dip into another era of popular music
Thundercat
3/5
Enjoyed the smooth stylings though the lyrics generally weren't quite up to the music. Not something I'll listen to again though, just not my thing.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
This didn't work for me. The electronic beats were almost nauseating--the music needed to be thicker, or have a fuller sound or something, and I thought the lyrics were often not that interesting. I love the name of the band and the name of the songs, but the repetition / electronic dance aspect was kind of boring to me.
Black Sabbath
4/5
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to. Even the more inane lyrics are delivered with a grinding intensity that works. Caution: Iron Man will get in your head and for the next few hours everything you do will be done to that rhythm.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Apparently, I'm not a big fan of Frank Sinatra.
Einstürzende Neubauten
3/5
I can't say I really enjoyed this but I also didn't mind it either. It's sounds like a bunch of Germans went into a hardware store and made some instruments and then started screaming and yelling while playing them. They do sound better than my description--at least they don't have the nauseating repetition of industrial music.
Missy Elliott
4/5
I was really looking forward to listening to this--I knew she was a pioneering rapper in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame--and I definitely enjoyed it. Wasn't quite to my taste due to the language and that's okay. Nice mellow beats and I loved all the collaborations. Standouts for me were "Rain" and "Sock it 2 Me"
Peter Gabriel
3/5
This is not a bad album: well executed, a few hit songs (In Your Eyes, Sledgehammer), but it's just not to my taste. I think his music, for me, isn't all that memorable. He is good at creating atmosphere though.
Dr. John
3/5
I enjoyed the start but by the time I got to "guilded splinters" I was tired of what felt to me like a little too much affectation. Dr. John is not a voodoo doctor and this entire album would have been much better had he not felt the need to have the persona. IMHO. As you were.
The Beach Boys
3/5
I couldn't understand why this album made the grade so I read about it on wikipedia and still don't think it should be on the list. I get that it's a transition from their surf style but it doesn't seem all that great to me.
Meat Loaf
5/5
got this for hanukah when I was 13. I think my parents got it for me because we were watching SNL together and Meat Loaf was on and I must have enjoyed it. I did like this album a lot, still do, but never got into Meat Loaf other than this album, and Rocky Horror, of course!
Elvis Presley
4/5
Best Elvis album I've heard yet, though I haven't heard that many. Love the Memphis sound and the recording of Gentle on My Mind, written by a friend of my Dad's when he was a kid: John Hartford. I'm sorry that the original release ended on In the Ghetto because Suspicious Minds is my favorite Elvis song--guess that was only added as a bonus track in a later release.
Fiona Apple
3/5
I almost stopped listening on the first song but I hung in there and actually sort of liked Shameika. The rest seems pretty indulgent in that everything feels like a practice run for a live jam session--just not quite as good as it should be. Will say I liked this a lot more than Tidal.
Pulp
3/5
Not bad but not nearly as good as Different Class.
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
Enjoyed this but don't think I'd listen to it again. Didn't stand out though I was reminded of that awful Rod Stewart song on "Taj Mahal" (If you want my body, and you think I'm sexy...)
Johnny Cash
5/5
What a terrific album! I love the energy and his voice is amazing. June Carter also sounded great, as did whoever was playing the harmonica (Cash?).
Al Green
5/5
Love this album, especially his cover of "How do you mend a broken heart." What a voice! He's got an easy yet emotional style. So good. I owe my little brother for turning me on the Al.
Soundgarden
3/5
I respect them and their sound but it's just not for me.
Peter Tosh
2/5
I'm not sure why this album is here. It's okay. The title track seems a little like a novelty song. I prefer his album Bush Doctor but I think I may be the only one....
Calexico
2/5
I thought this was fine but not particularly striking.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
Listened to this album so many times and from the first waves of piano I feel myself coming alive. Love it--wish I could have heard the whole thing live.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I really liked "My Aim is True" and bought it when it first came out. And then I was done with Elvis Costello. Everything I heard later didn't impress, and I felt guilty that I'd abandoned him. Listening to this album, I stand by my choices. Just not that interesting to me.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
jangly rocking album with fuzzy voices--not bad but not really going to stick with me.
Eagles
4/5
Hadn't heard this in years and really enjoyed it. When they're on, they're on. The first three songs more than make up for The Last Resort which hasn't aged well.
Pink Floyd
5/5
perfect morning: up early, sun starting to shine, strong coffee with a small side of herbal refreshment, and dark side of the moon on my headphones. Thank you, Pink Floyd.
Raekwon
4/5
enjoyed this a lot though wish the n-word hadn't been dropped as much as it was. Still, liked the mix of voices, attitudes, tempos, etc.
Elvis Presley
5/5
I'm giving this a 5 more for Scotty Moore's guitar than for anything else. I saw him live with DJ Fontana in the 80s as part of a "sun sessions" tour and I love his style.
2/5
I started listening to this and then wondered why it was included in the 1001 album list and so looked them up and then realized they have now been removed from the 1001 album list so am glad to check out. "If I say fuck two more times, that's 46 fucks in this fucked-up rhyme." = best line I heard before I stopped listening, unless you count the ones they're ripping from Nine Inch Nails.
Sorry, 2 limp 4 me.
David Bowie
5/5
I doubt I've listened to side two more than a handful of times though I've listened to side one countless times. Hard for me to rate other than as a 5 because it's been such a part of my life. Amazing song writing and vocals.
Beck
4/5
I'm not very familiar with Beck, but I enjoyed this album, a sort of mellow cozy album to play on dreary afternoons when you're feeling dreary as well. He's a good songwriter and his voice works with his music. I'm not sure how much of this album will stick with me, but i wouldn't mind hearing it again.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
I can't hear this album with fresh ears--I associated it very strongly with a particular time and place and love it though I wonder how well songs like "Pocahontas" have aged. Still, it was great to hear it again this morning!
Beastie Boys
4/5
Loved this album when it first came out and I think it's aged pretty well, some misogyny aside. I love the generational references, e.g. Abe Vigoda (!), the Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves chant, the line about White Castle fries. Unique and accessible--tough combination to achieve.
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Super cute! Feels like the male equivalent of what the Go Gos tried to achieve and I am here for it. Love the drums on "Mental Beat."
Small Faces
4/5
Wow, this one really lives up to the name. Never heard it before and I admire their commitment. For those who like the Bonzo Dog Band, this one is even "better"!
The Vines
3/5
Enjoyed listening to this--solid sort of dense pop rock. The only song that made me sit back and look to see what the title was "sunshinin" but in general they've got some nice beats.
Radiohead
4/5
So far, maybe my favorite Radiohead album (I think I have a few more with this project). I think I like it better than OK Computer, except I think that album was a little more consistent. When this is good, is great (probably the first 8 songs) and then 9 & 10, esp 10--Like Spinning Plates--kind of crash and burn, and the final jazzy flourish doesn't quite redeem the two clunkers before. Still, 3/4 of the album is sublime.
The Band
5/5
I'd heard a lot of songs from this album and knew this album was supposed to be great, but never listened before. And it is great, esp Long Black Veil and the Weight. Gotta give it a 5 on the strength of those classics alone.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
I feel as if this album should be prescribed--at least every 10 years put on headphones, lie down, and listen to this album a little more loudly than you might typically (to 11, duh). Feel your brain be cleansed as incredibly tight, expertly played pure rock swaggers through your skull. Enjoy the vocals for the sound and whatever you do, don't think too much about the lyrics.
Talking Heads
5/5
This album blew my mind when it first came out--I was in high school and the complexity of the rhythms and the nod to more experimental music like that of Philip Glass and Brian Eno rocked my world, though now, thanks to this project, I realize I missed all the African beat adoption. I've probably listened to this more than any other Talking Heads albums and it might be one of my top 10 albums of all time, though "The Overload" is downer. Still sounds great after nearly 50 years!
Bauhaus
3/5
It was okay. The only track I really liked turned out to be one of the bonus tracks: "1. David Jay 2. Peter Murphy 3. Kevin Haskins 4. Daniel Ash"
This is like the Hot Topics of albums
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
I don't think I understand the nature of this music to review this though I did enjoy it playing in the background as I worked.
KISS
2/5
omg this record is so stupid. Detroit Rock City! I'm giving it two stars because it wasn't painful, just not anything much
Lou Reed
3/5
I have very mixed feelings about this album. I've never really liked it, though Perfect Day is a great song, and Satellite of Love and Andy's Chest have some really brilliant moments too. Still, it feels Reed takes the easy way out with a lot of his songwriting and it's annoying. Perhaps my feelings are affected by the time I got kicked out of this bar when I was underage and wasted and played Walk on the Wild Side 25 times in a row on the jukebox which they ultimately had to unplug. I ended up puking in a snowbank in full view of all the patrons.
Duke Ellington
5/5
beautiful sound and love the different moods. Only in jazz does one find the statement, as I did in wikipedia, something to the tune of "Gonsalves solo saved Ellington's career." Also like the nod to the platinum blonde who got up dancing and instigated everyone off their feet. And it is an amazing amazing solo. Nice to see Ray Nance's name again--I think my parents had an album of his that I may or may not have stolen.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
I enjoyed this album though it feels like a pastiche of a bunch of other artists work done not quite as well. I've always liked All the Way to Memphis and it was good to hear more of their work. Music throughout is jingly jangly fun and the mandolin on I Wish I Was Your Mother is beautiful even if the song seems a little too Dylan imitative.
Charles Mingus
4/5
A little turned off by the farting noise in my right ear for the first minute or so but then things got nicely layered before breaking into a discordant mess then lurching into a groove where the bass really shines. It feels as if the instruments are competing against each other rather than working together. Interesting approach. Track B is more appealing--slow, languid with bursts of what sounds like something trying to catch up then coming together into a ferocious race. The rest of the album is a compelling listen--this is not jazz to play in the background while you have a cocktail and chat with your neighbor. This is jazz to play when you want everyone to leave so you can lie down and think about how much you hate them. Also, did someone say God Dammit on the last track?
The Hives
3/5
I see this album is now on the "ex" list having been removed from the later editions of 1001 albums, which makes sense because I looked it up on wikipedia and saw it's a compilation. Regardless, if this is the best of the band, then, well, you go, Hives! Well done if not memorable punk / garage rock. The only song that stood out to me was Die All Right.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
I thought it was fine--expected to like it more than I did though due to ages ago someone (I think my little brother) recommending him.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I've never gotten into Stevie Wonder--he never hits the right groove for me, though Superstition comes closest. So this album didn't do it either but didn't suck. Sorry Little Stevie Wonder!
Pretenders
3/5
This is the only Pretenders album I've ever listened to and it was all I ever wanted to listen to. Their cover of Stop Your Sobbing is my favorite song on the album, and Private Life isn't bad, but Grace Jones's cover is better. Brass in Pocket is also pretty good but in general I'm not a big fan--just not as good as I want it to be.
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
First time listening to an album of theirs but I did recognize Killing in the Name. Their blend of screams, yells, and metal-ish sound doesn't work for me, there were a few moments where the music, especially the bass, sounded pretty good.
Pearl Jam
3/5
Eddie Vedder has a great voice and Pearl Jam has a distinctive sound but they don't resonate with me. The only stuff I associate with them that I've listened to a few times is the soundtrack to Into the Wild, which Vedder did and is really nice.
The Stone Roses
3/5
Great tight pop rock--hard to be both lush and tight at the same time--really good. Awful lyrics. Just awful. It doesn't help that I heard "I wanna be adored by you" as "I wanna be your dog." A rare album that would have been better, nearly, as an instrumental.
George Harrison
4/5
enjoyed this more than I expected to and was surprised at how his voice, occasionally, resembled Tom Petty's. Nice album to hang out with.
Jeff Beck
4/5
very much enjoyed this--first time listen. Rod Stewart sounds better than he ever has in his solo career. Not a great album, but a fun escape into late 1960s bluesy guitar.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
I bought a used copy of this album at a record store in Chicago during my first week of college. I then listened to it obsessively in my dorm room to the point where people asked me to stop. By far my most favorite Stones album, and I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks Prodigal Son and Stray Cat Blues and Factory Girl are among the Stones greatest songs? Don't know; don't care, side two is a masterpiece and you can pry this album out of my cold dead hands.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
I enjoyed listening to this more than I expected to--Sir Duke and Pastime Paradise are great songs--and the rest of the music seems to me to be working up to the greatness of those two songs.
Van Morrison
3/5
The title track and the brassy "Young Lovers" song are the best of an otherwise not too interesting album, unless you really like Van Morrison.
Madness
2/5
At first I thought this must be the songs for a musical but I looked it up and realized they're just not very good songs. Nice finally know for sure who does the "Our House" (in the middle of the street) song, not the "Our House" (is a very very fine house) song.
David Bowie
3/5
I'd never heard this before and was happy that it didn't suck. It's Bowie at his most innocuous.
Ravi Shankar
3/5
I enjoyed this well enough playing in the background while I worked. That's not very compelling but it's the truth. Sorry, Ravi.
Rod Stewart
3/5
I enjoyed this alright but felt that a lot of the songs would have been better if different artists were performing--the songs are really good, for the most part, but the production, and the oversinging, just didn't work for me. Stewart sounded great on the Beck's Truth album; I think I prefer him as a singer with the band rather than a solo artist.
Van Halen
3/5
Was hoping I'd like this more than I did. Their aesthetic just doesn't work for me. "Jamie's Cryin" and "Little Dreamer" were the only songs that made me listen a bit longer.
Television
4/5
What a great album and wonderful to hear it again--the music is fantastic throughout. I wish the lyrics and vocals were up to the greatness of the rest, which is beautiful.
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
Never heard this before--well done songs with some interesting subjects, sort of punk political bent.
Soul II Soul
3/5
really enjoyed this and recognized a few songs. Smooth stylings though Soul II Soul feels more like an organization than a band
The Who
5/5
Haven't heard this in years and it's better than I remembered it--some classics on this, including Baba O'Riley, Bargain, Won't Get Fooled Again.
Barry Adamson
5/5
best new-to-me album I've heard in a while. Love love love it--very clever approach and a lot of fun.
Moby Grape
3/5
Enjoyed the wiry bluesy country rock vibe of this. "Hey Grandma" is a great twist on the "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" theme. Great too to have different lead singers. Still, not sure why this album is on the list.
Liz Phair
5/5
Loving this album is one of my guilty pleasures. Her voice isn't great, the guitar isn't great, but the whole, somehow, is. Perfectly captures a woman's experience in a particular time and place.
The Smiths
3/5
I didn't like them when I first heard them and I don't like em now. They seem a little full of themselves.
4/5
I enjoyed this a lot more than Dry, which heard earlier for this project. Still, not sure how much I'd listen to again, though This is Love, We float, and Kamikaze were all pretty nice.
Black Sabbath
3/5
A pleasant surprise from this project is how much I like Black Sabbath. That said, this isn't their best album, though it's pretty good. I wish the recording was a little sharper.
Arctic Monkeys
3/5
Clever lyrics at times but none of the songs stuck with me for very long.
2/5
One of the few albums in this project that I bailed on--but I did make it 3/4 of the way through. I didn't like them then and I don't like them now. So irritating. It's like they exist so you can have the pleasure of turning them off.
Genesis
3/5
I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to-- a lot of the music was really good though the lyrics seemed inane at times. I feel like this is the kind of album a ten year old boy might think was really awesome.
Arrested Development
4/5
Embarrassed that I'd never heard this before and really liked it, especially the first 3 songs and, later, Tennessee. Funky hip hop groove!
Frank Zappa
4/5
Got off to a great start but was a little inconsistent. I really enjoyed Zappa's jazzy (dare I say fusion?) approach. The first track, the Peaches one, was my favorite but the sax on the Gumbo track was especially amazing. I wasn't a fan of the last track or of the Little Umbrellas one. Still, I'd be happy to hear this one again.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
4/5
Enjoyed this album. The first song, The History Song, is distinctive and sounds like the opening song for an edgy detective show a la The Handsome Family in True Detective, though more rock, less folk. The rest is a nice collection of well-done pleasant buzz-type songs.
Turbonegro
3/5
Grinding guitars on the earlier tracks reminded me of Jay Reatard--this album seems to be a mostly successful punk | rock | glam hybrid with a bit of a downgrade for some truly juvenile lyrics.
Kanye West
2/5
Enjoyed "Dark Fantasy" and "Monster." Other tracks not so much--just as douchy as the dude.
Hole
2/5
I really loved Live Through This but this album not so much. Love's voice is really grating and the songs aren't nearly as interesting.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
I never really cared for the sort of dreamy pop of the late 80s / 90s but this is probably the best version of it. Still, It says a lot that there were a few songs where I didn't think they were singing in English but I didn't really care enough to figure it out. Lovely female vocals I associate with this style (think Kate Bush or Sundays or even Human League). I'd play this album as background music if I had a yacht and was inviting a bunch of strangers over for cocktails.
Dennis Wilson
2/5
This was a little disappointing. I'd assumed it was on the list for some good reason--not sure what that is right now.
Guns N' Roses
3/5
First time listening to this album though I've heard their songs before. Enjoyed the classic rock vibe! Their popular songs are the best but there aren't many clunkers on this album.
Love
2/5
sorry Love, didn't love it
R.E.M.
3/5
Props for their distinctive sound and I do like Radio Free Europe. But songs like Catapult and West of the Fields are annoying and I sort of wish they'd shut up.
Depeche Mode
3/5
I'm not a fan of their moody groove but I respect it. Personal Jesus is pretty good, Clean is not.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
Quite nice. Not my favorite of theirs (looking at you "almost cut my hair") but still good
The Roots
4/5
New to this group and album. Gets out of the gate fast with the stellar Rock You, then fades a little with the next two songs and picks up with Thought@Work, building to The Seed, a fabulous blend of styles. Water is interesting--not sure if it works completely--and I'm not a fan of Amiri Baraka so am not thrilled with Something in the Way of Things. I like their vision and scope for their music.
Carole King
3/5
I remember when this came out--I was 8 or so and it was huge. Still, I never listened to the actual album until this morning. Brilliant songwriter when she's at her best. I've heard her big hits performed by stronger singers, so my favorites on this album were the songs I hadn't heard before, e.g. So Far Away, Way Over Yonder. The title song kind of sucks, sorry to say.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
Never heard this before, though I grew up groaning over Free Bird. Really enjoyed it--what an incredible first album. Tuesday's Gone is new favorite song, and it was nice to hear Simple Man again.
Dire Straits
4/5
I get it: they're good at what they do and it's very well produced. I practically slid all the way to the end, it's so slick. But does anyone under the age of 63 actually like Dire Straits? Note: I'm technically a Boomer myself so I get say shit like this. I'm giving them 4 stars because I can't ignore their strengths but still.
Weather Report
3/5
It's not my thing--and it sounds as if it may have inspired a number of 80s soundtracks.
Cream
5/5
Strange Brew and Sunshine of Your Love earn the 5--rest of the album's pretty good too!
Christine and the Queens
2/5
no idea why this album is on this list
Lauryn Hill
3/5
I was really looking forward to this having heard so many good things about it so perhaps my expectations were too high, but I wasn't blown away. Sorry, Lauryn.
The Byrds
5/5
I love this album and only today did I realize that an childhood friend of my late dad's plays fiddle on I am a Pilgrim and the beautiful "Hickory Wind." I owe a big debt to my baby brother for introducing me to Gram Parsons!
Queen
2/5
Wow, and, no. WTF is going on with those lyrics? I must admit I really enjoyed the guitar on the loser in the end.
Gillian Welch
4/5
Really enjoyed this, especially the title song, My First Lover, and the last song--I dream a highway. Sometimes Welch's voice doesn't live up to her goals for it but it really works on those songs. Nice album I'll listen to again.
The Who
4/5
enjoyed it in the original (shorter) issue but didn't stand out to me as one of the greatest live recordings of all time. So far, I think the best live recordings I've heard have been some Stax soul recordings and the Fela Kuti with Ginger Baker live that's on this list.
Eagles
5/5
First time I ever listened to this album--impressive debut. Not all the songs will stick with me but to have three huge hits from one debut is exceptional. Their style and sound isn't one of my favorites but they're really good at what they do.
Blondie
5/5
Wow, it was great to hear this again! It has been decades! I remember loving the 50s vibe of this album and thinking it made sense because Debbie Harry was born in 1945 so she grew up with that sound and then made it her own with Blondie. Pure pop with attitude and almost every track is a winner--I've always loved Fade Away and Radiate in particular. Thank you Blondie!
Suzanne Vega
2/5
I went to hear Suzanne Vega live with a girlfriend to be nice and supportive and I'm still traumatized. I was okay with Tom's Diner and even bought that album at the concert and I did enjoy hearing Luka in the Paris subway when I want to Paris for this first time on my first grownup vacation, but it's not worth it. I tried with Cracking and then started to write this review and bail and now she's on Marlene on the Wall and I remember at the concert everyone really like this song. And now I'll do what I wanted to do then. Stop listening. I'm giving it a 2 in deference to the musicians and the recording quality itself.
Deep Purple
2/5
This didn't impress, though I do like Deep Purple's earlier stuff. Sure, the guitar work is great but the lyrics seemed stupid and I didn't get much of a sense of rhythm.
Beck
3/5
Something about Beck's layered fuzzy sound nauseates me. I'm sure he's really good if he doesn't make you want to throw up. Soy un perdidor.
Aerosmith
3/5
Not my tempo but they do stay in their lane admirably.
Parliament
4/5
listening to this album was a bright spot the day after the US election. it was released in 1975 when some horrible shit was going down yet Pfunk brightened everyone's day. I want the funk! Give me the funk!
The Smiths
3/5
Solid album; not really my taste but I appreciate the throwback to the 80s
Bob Dylan
5/5
When I first encountered this album, in high school, I was dismissive of it and now I have no idea why. At the time I liked the "hard rain's a-gonna fall" Dylan, but this album has so many great songs, esp Tangled up in blue which has to be on a GOAT list. I'll be listening to this album over and over--a classic like Joni Mitchell's Blue.
PJ Harvey
1/5
OMG! Amazeballs! Almost as good as Fiona Apple! Love love love! Perfect for singalongs and sleepovers! fuck you PJ Harvey reclaiming my time
New Order
3/5
There's a certain type of 80s music that I've blended into one big swirl d/b/a as Joy Division / New Order / Depeche Mode / Cure / maybe Duran Duran? Pet Shop Boys? Don't know, basically kind of lumped them altogether with the Cure being the only standout and Disintegration being the only album I actually listened to. So when this album started, I really liked the Cure elements in Love Vigilantes (or is it New Order elements in Fascination Street?) and then stopped distinguishing and began enjoying the music. Unfortunately, it all crashed with the next song, Perfect Kiss, which is a big yawn and feels like it could be in a movie starring Hugh Grant. Sunrise which has a sort of attractive desperation, and Elegia is a nice mellow soar. After that, the remaining songs bounced by by innocuously enough.
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
Sentimental and sad, even his crudest lyrics seem like a cry for help. Especially liked Machine Gun Funk, which feels a little more musical than some of the tracks which are like spoken word performance. A good writer who could have become a great one.
Supergrass
3/5
The first two songs sounded a little punk but then with Alright, I got a more retro pop vibe. Not a fan of the fuzzy tone to the recording. This album feels like a bridge between punk, pop, rock, new wave, and none of it quite works. The chorus in "Strange Ones" sounds like the theme song to a bad British cartoon, and there's a juvenile quality throughout.
The Yardbirds
3/5
I enjoyed this--sucker for 60s rock--though it's not the best of breed by any means. Over Under Sideways Down was especially good.
ZZ Top
3/5
not my thing, though Gimme All Your Lovin isn't bad. "Legs" survives despite ridiculous lyrics. I've heard a lot worse.
The Beach Boys
2/5
I don't like this album as much as I think I'm supposed to; I've often heard it compared to Sgt Peppers or other Beatles concept albums but it falls short for me because Brian Wilson doesn't have the chops--maybe he does musically--but lyrically he's got an incredibly limited range. "Wouldn't it be nice" is great in a classic Beach Boys way but when he steps away from his surfing wheelhouse you get vapid platitudes e.g. "I wasn't made for these times" and "I know there's an answer," which, tbh, are nearly Shagg-like in their inanity.
Tom Waits
3/5
This didn't feel like an album to me as much as the recording of an experience, and while Waits writes some great lines, musically it didn't do a lot for me. The musicians sounded superb; I just didn't get a lot of melody or much sustained playing.
10cc
4/5
Never heard this album and have only barely heard of this band--for some reason I associated them with that song "Afternoon Delight" which I now realize was completely wrong. The Wall Street Shuffle is deliciously dated, and I think that's how I'd describe this entire album. Now I'm on Baron Samedi and wtf is this? Ditto with Effendi. Got to love the smooth guitar stylings and the drums throughout are suave. This album illustrates the thin line between awful and awesome. Great album to put on during a drive to blow a friend's mind.
N.W.A.
4/5
Really enjoyed this, one of the best rap albums I've heard in a long time. Not quite 5-star worthy but definitely one I'll be listening to again.
Eric Clapton
3/5
I'd never heard this album before though I've heard some Clapton and saw him live once. Still, wouldn't say I'm a big Clapton fan, but when this album started with "Motherless Children" I got pretty psyched--what a great tune. Sadly, the rest of the album didn't quite live up to the somehow laid-back yet extremely tight blues rock of the first track, though it wasn't awful.
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
Is it just me or is she sounding a little tuneless on the first song? And WTF is happening on Parade? Why? And why is this album on this list? It seems pretty mediocre.
Pere Ubu
4/5
I love the garage intellectual blend that happened in the mid to late 70s, where you've got Pere Ubu chanting "merdre" from Ubu Roi and Patti Smith singing "go Rimbaud" instead of "go Johnny go" Pretentious? Don't know, don't care, I'm a sucker for it, even if I do think "Sentimental Journey" might have gone on a little long.
The Black Crowes
3/5
not a fan of their fuzzy sound and wish the vocals were highlighted a little more in the recording. Jealous Again sounds like a bad version of the Stones' Tumbling Dice. Sister Luck is pretty nice or could be in a different recording. Hard to Handle is awful--not sure anyone can pull off an Otis cover. After that, I kind of tuned them out.
Emmylou Harris
2/5
TIL that Emmylou Harris is not a good songwriter.
Norah Jones
3/5
Lovely album though Jones ties her voice down to such a limited range it's a little frustrating. Really liked "Feeling the same way..." and "Turn me on" as well as the title track.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
Enjoyed this world beat kind of thing though am not sure I'll listen to it again.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
I'm not sure when, if ever, I last listened to this whole album, so this was a treat. Gimme Shelter is one of my favorite Stones songs, and it was awesome to hear Keith's vocals on You Got the Silver. I love the recording too--very lowkey at times (Country Honk?!--title?!).
The Doors
5/5
I can't think of many bands whose debut album made such an impact, with great songs and a truly fresh sound. Definitely the Beatles, Nirvana, and the Doors. The Doors aren't my favorite band or even close to my favorite band, but I've always loved Crystal Ship and did have my mind blown when in high school, I went to a performance of the Weill/Brecht opera Mahagonny with my Aunt Royanne and suddenly heard a guy sing the Alabama song, which I had no idea was a cover.
Pavement
4/5
Hadn't heard this before. Interesting songs, well-done though not quite as melodic as I like my rock. I listened to it over two days and feel I need to listen to it again to really get my head around it.
Steely Dan
5/5
Every time we get a Steely Dan album, I think I don't know any Steely Dan songs and then when I listen, I realize I know many Steely Dan songs.... They're so laid-back in their delivery, they've slipped into my subconscious and their mellow voices hide some incredibly awesome and vicious lyrics. Not to mention the delicious guitar and punchy drums. Hard to believe this is a debut album.
Quick takes on my favorite of the new-to-me songs:
Kings seems to literally be about kings, and I dig that.
Midnite Cruiser seals the deal: no one writes more eloquently about losers than Steely Dan.
Only a Fool Would Say That: so nice I listened twice, also not sure I really get it. But even now, writing this, I want to listen to it again.
I almost want to downgrade it due to how overplayed "Reelin in the Years" is, but that's not their fault. "Do It Again" and "Dirty Work" were also very familiar, but I actually like those songs.
Dion
1/5
WTF. Was this recorded at the right speed? It's like a dirge to doo-wop. This is Dion of Dion and the Belmonts, right? The guy in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Scissor Sisters
4/5
Great album which I'm embarrassed to say was new to me, though I'd heard of this band before. Comfortably Numb was esp terrific--the first 6 songs are all especially good. Didn't like the sort of fuzzy quality to the recording--I switched headphones to make sure it wasn't me--but this is great pop.
k.d. lang
2/5
I've heard kd lang sing some amazing songs however none of them were on this album.
Wu-Tang Clan
3/5
enjoyed but didn't blow me away--musicality seemed to take a back seat to a lot of dialogue.
Björk
1/5
no no no no I listened to the whole thing and I just don't care. I want my hour back.
Orbital
2/5
meh. I like my trance / ambient / electronica a little more space and a little less anxious (see tracks 7 & 8 esp).
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
The best tracks are recorded elsewhere with better arrangements, especially my favorite "Cloudy." Still incredible songwriting and what an amazing reflection of the times. It's like they took every signpost of the age and wrote a song about it. Look at the track list--it looks like a soundtrack for a musical titled "1968" (note: album came out in 1966 but as with all great artists, they were a little ahead of the times).
Britney Spears
3/5
Solid pop!
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
Innocuous ambient music to work by. Not sure why it's on this list but nothing awful. The title and the performer name are a little misleading for this work--I was expecting something a little more hiphop-y and dystopian. Instead it was like "music for cleaning out your email."
Beatles
5/5
Hard for me to rate this objectively; it's been such a part of my life since I first got the album when I was 11 or 12. Loved it then, love it now, though I was a little confused listening to this on Amazon Music because I didn't recall Nowhere Man being on my version, so heads up--the North American version is considerably shorter. It's incredible how the Beatles sound developed over such a short time--they always sound interesting and a little different, even their pop, but this is so much richer musically and with a lot more variation. To me, this album is like a work by Shakespeare: somehow of the times and yet completely genius.
Fela Kuti
5/5
I started this project on my own and got this as my 3rd album. Fela Kuta was completely new to me. My mind was blown, especially with Ye Ye De Smell, which for a while I listened to on the daily. When I created a group, I knew I'd be receiving albums I'd already rated, nbd. So now this is album 333 for me and this album and Pulp's Different Class are the two biggest wins for me with this project, making listening to way too much PJ Harvey, Bjork, and Fiona "fuck you" Apple (and yet only ONE Patti Smith album! WTF!) worth it.
Fleet Foxes
2/5
Listening to this, I felt like I was at a local music festival and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the local music. After listening, I immediately listened to Mountain Man's "Boat" to hear something similar but much better. Not sure why this album's on this list.
The Waterboys
3/5
Well-done folksy rock with a traditional Irish or Scottish tone at times, as well as a bit of Dylan and the Band, and there are moments of Dire Straits early on though the album creeps toward traditional folk towards the end. I like the way the album winds through its songs and would listen again.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Not a big Springsteen fan, but I remember when this came out. I checked it out from the library and listened on repeat--especially the first side. Thunder Road is genius even if it does have that awful line "you ain't a beauty but hey you're alright." You gotta give it to anyone who inspires a cocktail, in this case Screen Door Slam, a bourbon-based aperol concoction.
Eminem
2/5
I really like "Lose Yourself" and hadn't heard an Eminem album so was excited to give this a listen. What a disappointment. His best moments are overshadowed by his increasingly stupid lyrics. I get it, he likes the Drugs and he likes Girls and he likes the Guns and whatever. Go sell asshole somewhere else; all stocked up here.
Otis Redding
3/5
I enjoyed this but I really enjoy live recordings of Otis more.
OutKast
3/5
There's a really good album buried in here somewhere, as well as a really bad album. Best tracks are Hey Ya and Favorite Things.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Enjoyed this more than I expected to, but I'm still not a huge Stevie Wonder fan.
Lupe Fiasco
2/5
Stopped listening halfway through, during Daydreamin. At first I mused about the difference between "spoken word" and "rap music" and then I just got tired of feeling like I was being preached at--maybe this is due to the monotony of his tone across tracks.
Pere Ubu
4/5
Damn I needed this this morning. Not really sure why I like this so much--maybe it's the desperate urgency in the vocals coupled with incredibly sharp, confident music. . The music is sharp even when it's fuzzy, distorted, scratchy. Only exception to the strength is Thriller which should have been jettisoned.
Moby
5/5
I came to this album a few years later than most and then played it nonstop in my car for a year or so... Masterful blend of voices, songs, and sounds.
Coldplay
3/5
A band people seem to love to hate.... but I do like the fresh sound of Politik and I imagine there are some other songs of theirs that are pretty good. Still, nothing that interests me too much here, but could be worse.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Beautiful, classic, perfect Sunday afternoon cozy music. Also, I once heard someone misquote Exodus as "Taxibus! / Movement of the people!"
The Libertines
4/5
Really enjoyed this mellow punk pop garage sort of sound. The album tripped along and I think I'll give it another listen.
Metallica
2/5
not a fan. Some of the songs were fine but nearly all of them went on a bit too long.
Funkadelic
5/5
Holy F S--mind blown. I'm only two songs in and I'm completely in love with what I've heard so far. Awesomely dated and also just awesome. TIL the power of album covers--I'd always hated that cover and never listened. The only inferior track is Wars of Armageddon, but my favorites are Maggot Brain and Super Stupid.
Circle Jerks
4/5
Enjoyed this more than I expected to. Like Sabrina Carpenter, the Circle Jerks are short 'n sweet!
AC/DC
3/5
Not my cup of tea but "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a great classic rock song. It's probably the type specimen for classic rock in that I can't think of another song that best defines that genre. I'd like to give them a 4 or a 5 on the strength of that song alone, but the rest just isn't up to it.
Lambchop
2/5
Felt like an inside joke, as if you went to a show and there'd be these hardcore fans nodding sagely to the erudite wit and social commentary while you order a double and wish you were just a little bit higher.
Various Artists
2/5
Getting this on Dec. 26 made me feel like I got Rickrolled, except this was real and for some reason this album is actually in the 1001 albums book, which seems completely bizarre--why is a compliation here? WTF? Also, the title really hasn't aged well... sounds like a threat.
Jeff Buckley
3/5
Not to my taste, though he has a nice voice. I don't get a sense of melody or rhythm in his songs, though his cover of Hallelujah is great.
The Band
4/5
Robbie Robertson is an effing great songwriter, and The Band will always have a sentimental hold on my heart, created when I was a kid and my parents would play "The Weight" and we'd snicker at "Take a load off, Fanny." Though that track isn't on this album, no worries because you've got Cripple Creek, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Rag Mama Rag, and an old favorite "Across the Great Divide" (got my name in that song!). Play side A on repeat and pretty much ignore side B, imho.
Underworld
2/5
ambient music to work by.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Enjoyed this though more jazz and less funk than I expected--also a lot smoother.
Jurassic 5
3/5
enjoyed this while working--nice variety and this felt driven by the music as much, if not more than, the lyrics, which seems rare in my limited hip hop experience.
This album didn't seem particularly special. I think the only reason it's on this list is because the performers are well known, which isn't a good reason.
Doves
3/5
I'm sure some people will be horrified that I was reminded of Coldplay on first listen but there you go.
Björk
2/5
I'm behind with my albums and so I checked with the "ex" albums and found this is no longer necessary to hear before I die so it's a big DNL for me.
Blur
2/5
excellent name for this not very interesting group. I guess they were popular and I did marry someone who had this album, along with other groups I could never really distinguish from each other, and then I divorced him. This is what I thought when I was listening to this shoe gaze-y sound.
Morrissey
1/5
Man, I was so happy when this album ended and I could stop listening to some dude whine about how miserable everything is. This may be the whitest album I've ever heard.
Arcade Fire
3/5
enjoyed this album more than I expected to--really good pop which could have used a little editing, i.e. get the tracks under 4 minutes, and suddenly you've got a much more memorable album. "Modern Man" is my favorite track; I'm a sucker for lines like "Makes me feel like" that trail off.
The Doors
3/5
I enjoyed this one more than LA Woman but not sure we need so many Doors albums on this list.
The La's
4/5
Enjoyed the album a lot but did want Son of a Gun to be a cover of the Vaselines' Son of a Gun (which would have involved time travel) and also wanted There She Goes to be a cover of VU's There She Goes Again. Still, the Beatles' Ticket to Ride vibe in Feelin is great and are those hand claps on Way Out? Solid album with a throwback vibe worth replaying.
Metallica
3/5
I bet this was a great performance to experience live, and I especially loved the Morricone start but as an album, it probably appeals more to the diehard Metallica fans than the dabbler like myself (e.g. goes on about a half hour too long).
TV On The Radio
3/5
I liked the fresh sound, esp the sax, but none of the tracks really stuck with me.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Great debut and I especially love the soaring vocals on Go Where You Wanna Go.
Silver Jews
3/5
Enjoyed this but wasn't blown away. Nice tunes, okay vocals, decent lyrics. I wouldn't turn it off it were on but don't think I'll listen again.
The Monkees
2/5
I once bought a Monkees album off a TV ad and sent them a bunch of coins in an envelope. I think I was 9 or so. I got the album, still have it, and really like about 15% of it. But this album didn't represent that 15%. It reminded me of the TV show episodes where the Monkees tried to be quirky and instead seemed lame. This reminds me, is Zooey Deschanel's duo on this list?
Willie Nelson
4/5
Like Italian food, this album is about a simple approach to great ingredients. I like how spare it is and would fault it only in sing choice.
The Doors
3/5
The Doors always teeter around being kind of bad, and this album, with the exception of Riders on the Storm and LA Woman, illustrates this. Sometimes they're kind of bad lounge music, sometimes kind of bad blues, etc. And I don't know wtf the wasp is supposed to be. But when it works, it works and is distinctive.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Great album: Mitchell's voice warbles and dances through the expertly crafted tunes, though her cover of Twisted doesn't do a lot for me (Annie Ross's original is sublime).
Herbie Hancock
5/5
So happy to have gotten this today--the perfect antidote to the Morrissey pick earlier. I love how laid back this album is with the funk touches keeping it from being too cool. Every musician shines unobtrusively yet brilliantly.
The Kinks
3/5
Always loved the title track but the rest of the album illustrates why the Beatles' Penny Lane is genius. Not their best effort but it's okay, they're working stuff out for greater stuff to come.
Elvis Presley
3/5
solid Elvis album.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
An ex used to play this album nonstop, so it's hard for me to judge. Not my favorite Neal Young album and I don't think the songwriting is his best but he and his band wrestle a powerful sound that mostly disguises some of the weaker lyrics.
Ray Charles
3/5
This didn't cohere well as an album but there I did enjoy Come Rain or Come Shine and Am I Blue.
Genesis
2/5
I was dreading this one. The only album to date which made me physically ill. Peak nausea around The Supernatural Anesthetist. Came back later and finished the monstrosity. The only good thing about this album is the title and the bit in the title song where they sing the title. Like 20 seconds of an hour+ album.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Their voices sound amazing together; wish the song selection resonated with me more. The first song was the best, I thought, though I really liked the mandolin (I think that's what it was) on "To Know Him Is To Love Him."
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Dang, dude was down when he wrote this. No more ride to the promised land, just a meet up in Atlantic City. Not as a good an album as I'd hoped--the music and tone are a little tired--but when he's good, he's great, see Atlantic City & Reason to Believe.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Feels almost autobiographical in its incorporation of classic 1950s rock (Little Miss Strange, Let The Good Times Roll) with experimental / psychedelic wanderings, though not all the tracks shine. Still, like the pie in the movie "Hitman," all Hendrix is good Hendrix, and I've already listened to this album three times since it was served up in this project.
Billie Holiday
3/5
I much prefer Lady Sings the Blues with both Strange Fruit and God Bless the Child, but the orchestration on this album is great. Not sure why this album is the sole Billie Holiday album on this project though.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
I enjoyed this though wasn't blown away. Not sure Frank Sinatra is capable of blowing me away, though.
Massive Attack
4/5
Great mellow groove through a lot of interesting references and sounds.... However, I looked this up and saw some critic describe this as the best dance album and I can't imagine dancing to this. I'd literally fall asleep on my feet. This is more like music you listen to while high on a cross country train ride.
Fairport Convention
3/5
First track (Come all ye) hasn't aged well--sounds a little too much like something you hear outside a RenFest. The rest was a contemporary take on traditional music, which isn't my bag but it was well done.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
Quirky? Pretentious? Discordant? These are a few words that popped into my head when I listened to this album. In general, I like music that sounds good, and this does not, for the most part. But is it bad in a good way? Maybe.
American Music Club
3/5
solid rock though I don't feel compelled to listen again.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Hard to believe this is a debut album--seems so confident in its quiet blend of hip hop, rap, funk, even a riff or two from Lou Reed and Stevie Wonder. Genius and to know they followed this up with the Low End Theory.... I owe this project for introducing me to the Tribe!
Shuggie Otis
3/5
This was fine but neither inspiring nor informative. Maybe I missed something somewhere.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Sonic Youth never held my attention when they first hit the scene and, this time, I really tried to get into it but still failed. I don't get their appeal--especially from a musical point of view--they just don't seem very interesting or entertaining.
Beastie Boys
4/5
really enjoyed these Beastie stylings--esp Futterman's Rule, Sure Shot, Get It Together, and Flute Loop. The music is especially standout (dig the flute and some nice bass) on this album; their lyrics aren't consistently the genius level of Hello Nasty, but are strong too.
Country Joe & The Fish
2/5
Meh. Even when I was a youngster on my psychedelic quest I didn't really dig them. How creepy was it when they whispered LSD at the end of one of those tracks? Favorite tune is "Section 43"; their song "Love" made me immediately turn to the Beatles' "The Word" because I believe Country Joe stole the rhythm from that.
Grateful Dead
5/5
Sometimes an album is a great one not because the music is great or the lyrics are brilliant but because it occupies a particular musical slot uniquely, perfectly, and definitively. This is such an album. If you want to listen to his album and can't find it, there's really nothing else that's nearly as consistently good or satisfying.
The KLF
5/5
New album to me, so I streamed the director's cut from Amazon and thought, nope, this can't be right, and went to youtube and found the original album and fell in love--this is great house music and it's also, in places, kind of stupid--the lyrics remind at times of the songs I make up as I walk around the house, esp Justified and Ancient. Still, love it--this is a lot of fun and really grabbed my attention. Well done!
Solomon Burke
2/5
I was hoping to like this more than I did--not enough soul in the soul or rock in the rock for my taste.
The xx
3/5
okay, reminded me of "easy listening" music from the 80s.
Dead Kennedys
5/5
Nothing says Reaganomics more than the Dead Kennedys 1980 classic "Kill the Poor" with its Rocky Horror queer tones and Ramones rock rhythm... basically this album is the Ramones on crack for the win. I was 16 when this album came out and bought it immediately. No regrats, as they say, well, one in that I never saw them live.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Got this album when I was a kid in a stack of albums from a friend of my dad's who was moving. Enjoyed it then even though this style of twangy rock wasn't my vibe. Aged nicely!
Goldfrapp
2/5
Album starts with "Clowns," a dreamy lilting sound with an ethereal voice singing unclear words. I looked up the lyrics while listening and realized to my horror that she's singing about fake breasts. Discordant like that awful version of My Humps that Alanis Morissette did but that might have been a joke and this isn't. "Happiness" is better but not good enough to make up for that. The rest of the album lilts along in its sweet way, making much of airy stuff.
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
solid album. Favorite tracks are Bell-bottomed blues and Anyday. At this point, I'm kind of sick of Layla. Sorry, Eric.
Cee Lo Green
3/5
got me bopping along--very nice though wanted even more soul
Prince
4/5
Not my favorite Prince album though "When Doves Cry" is terrific and is the reason I'm giving this a 4.
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
The minute this started I questioned it. I looked it up in wikipedia, something I avoid doing while listening to new music and saw this album was voted the 47th best album of 1994 by New Music Express. Then I looked it up at the wikidot site for this project and saw that it has been voted off the island is no longer considered necessary to hear before I die. Which is good because it makes me want to run into traffic. Stopped listening after ten minutes.
Radiohead
3/5
So if you like being depressed and even find good things kind of depressing, then this is the album for you. It has everything: warbling vocals drifting nowhere, childhood sayings whispered nonsensically, creepy counting, and inexplicably soaring sounds. NME named it the 157th best album of those released in some time period somewhere and Rolling Stone calls it "your favorite album's favorite album."
Sade
2/5
Smooth Operator is peak Sade; on the other tracks her voice sounds a little tuneless and the songs aren't too interesting.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would but just not a huge Springsteen fan.
Mike Oldfield
5/5
That was hilarious. Love. I'm a sucker for stuff that ranges from great to godawful (now with more spoken word!) and knowing it was used as the original Exorcist's theme is the chef's kiss. This is the kind of album you spring on people on a road trip where you're driving.
Morrissey
2/5
Well, this was better than the last Morrissey album. Favorite line: "They break their necks and can't afford to get them fixed."
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
enjoyed the music more than I enjoyed the lyrics or Lamar's voice.
Malcolm McLaren
2/5
Never much cared for him, and this hasn't aged well.
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
nice 80s vibe--feels like it's two stars/one slot with him against Fine Young Cannibals.
Talking Heads
5/5
Great album--love Heaven, I Zimbra (how many times have I danced to that?), Life During Wartime, Electric Guitar, well, basically, it's all terrific. I still prefer Remain in Light as the best Talking Heads album, but this might have the best songs.... so good.
Big Star
2/5
Wow. Kizza Me was really bad and then Jesus Christ was both awesome and bad and then the Femme Fatale cover makes you want to kick this guy's ass. It's like hearing Bread do VU. My day is enriched for having listened to this album but, yeah, it's gonna be a no from me, Simon
Def Leppard
2/5
no. I tried and no.
Kate Bush
2/5
I can't imagine a situation where I would want to hear this album. Maybe if I needed to get someone to leave, but there are more annoying records. I just can't imagine ever thinking that I'd like to hear this. At first, I really liked it but that was because I had Def Leppard in my queue from yesterday's album and so thought it was Kate Bush, which blew my mind for a few seconds. Then I realized my error.
The Police
3/5
I liked this more than I expected to, but I expected to hate it. Mother was very odd song that I never would have guessed was the Police. Synchronicity II and Murder by Numbers were my favorite tracks.
Kelela
3/5
This isn't my groove, so me thinking it was okay is pretty good.
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
Nitin Sawhney was new to me, and I liked the theme of this album. Didn't really connect to the music though.
Beastie Boys
5/5
As great as Shake Your Rump is, this album really starts to explode with Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun and then doesn't stop schooling us until the end of the B-Boy Medley. UNESCO needs to recognize these guys as intangible cultural heritage or whatever it is.... Amazing.
Laura Nyro
2/5
I hadn't listened to Nyro before; she's got a gorgeous voice. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of her bouncy piano-driven tunes. I wish she'd partnered with someone like Steely Dan--I would've loved to hear her do a few of their tracks.
OutKast
4/5
Some great songs here, esp Gasoline Dreams, So Fresh, So Clean, Bombs Over Baghdad, and even the not as great ones are pretty good. I need to listen to it again to really get my head around it but so far, I think it's a few tracks too long.
Paul Simon
3/5
this was okay. why's it here? I mean, there are a few great Paul Simon songs none of which are on this album.
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
I bought this as a teenager and was a little disappointed by it, feeling that the only standout tracks were Somebody to Love and White Rabbit. Now, I enjoyed the entirety more but maybe that was nostalgia. Hints of the Beatles' Ticket to Ride (How Do You Feel) and Day Tripper (She Has Funny Cars). Definitely 5 stars given the impact of the two big hits and the rest isn't so bad if a little bit of the times.
Stan Getz
3/5
Quite nice and as beautiful as the sax was, the percussion really sold it for me.
Destiny's Child
5/5
TIL that I dig Destiny's Child! What a groovin' album! Lots of fun, did flag in a few places, but I enjoyed this album tremendously.
The Byrds
3/5
Giving it a 3 solely on the strength of "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better"
Happy Mondays
3/5
I like the funky slant: percussion and keyboards are really nice, esp on Step On, but the lyrics throughout are pretty weak. Definitely a fresh sounds in places but overall not compelling. 3+ stars
The Undertones
3/5
Sounds a little like a lot of things but not enough of any one thing to make you want to listen again.
5/5
The energy here is insane and I dig it. The guitars are especially strong and keep things interesting when the music threatens to ramble on... I've already listened twice this morning.
Thin Lizzy
4/5
I really enjoyed this album--lots of fun even if most of their songs sound similar. Boys Are Back in Town is a classic and these rockers did what a great band does: entertain us!
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Oh Marvin, I'm sorry, you're wonderful but "You Sure Love to Ball" really creeps me out, though "Let's Get It On" is great. Splitting the difference at a 3.
Stereo MC's
2/5
I do like the song "Connected" but the only way this album would get a five from me would have been if they'd sampled Tammy's song from the KITH (1988, S3E3) on their song "Creation" which disturbingly sounded a lot like that. Start at a minute in to get straight to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDfH4BVHN6w
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Not a huge Leonard Cohen fan, and it looks as if I've got a bunch of his albums in my future here. Maybe he's an acquired taste. This album is pretty spare: guy singing some songs he wrote accompanied by some music. It was fine.
Animal Collective
3/5
I listened to this first on speakers and couldn't get my head around it but after I moved to headphones I enjoyed this vaguely interesting ambient music. Not my thing though wouldn't respect you less if you liked it.
Slint
2/5
Not my thing and felt a little pretentious. Does anyone ever say, "Yeah, Slint, crank it up!" or do they just nurse their flat white and think Deep Thoughts as it plays?
Marianne Faithfull
5/5
I don't have words for how significant this album was to me when it came out. I was a 15 year old wanna be punker and I think my playlist was Patti Smith "Radio Ethiopia" / this album / Lene Lovich "Stateless" and then the usual suspects (Talking Heads, VU, Dylan, Bowie, etc).
The obscenities were shocking at the time, and her voice, the anger, and the kind of laidback way it all spins out felt--and still feel--fresh to me. And how great to hear Witches' Song again!
This album isn't for everyone but for me for a time, it was everything.
The xx
2/5
Didn't really make much of an impression. Not awful though.
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
Great album! "Everyday People" is genius and "Sex Machine" had a wonderful guitar jam that reminded me a lot of Prince's great concert guitar jams.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
4/5
Never heard of these guys before and I feel like a loser for that--they mix it up easily: a little Beastie Boys in some of their cleverer lyrics, a little Tom Waits in some of the tone, and even some shoe gazing stuff in "We Have All the Time in the World." Nice!
Shack
3/5
Solid jangly pop that's easy on the ears.
Björk
1/5
omg I can't handle it. I still have one song after this and I feel as if someone's been lowkey screaming at me for ten hours. Bsorry Bjork.
5/5
Album starts with a beautiful, intimate version of "She Belongs to Me" which showcases his Nobel-Prize-winning writing chops. "Fourth Time Around" will never not sound like "Norwegian Wood" to me and I'm okay never hearing it again. Then a masterpiece: "Visions of Johanna." Sigh. He had me at "Ain't it just like the night..." The intensity keeps up with the next few songs, all winners. The electric set starts with "Tell Me Momma" and it's worth seeking out the complete recording which includes the audience heckling and Dylan's asides. My Amazon Prime stream didn't have this part but I found it on YouTube if you dig around. Amazing how upset people got with his electric move! Fantastic album and I'm personally developing time travel so I can go back and be there.
Public Enemy
3/5
Great start--love how the rap doesn't dominate but is another layer in their complicated mix. The rhythm is with them, though there's definitely a soggy, repetitive middle here. Wish the album had been the best 40 mins.
Killing Joke
3/5
I found the music much more interesting than the vocals/lyrics.
The Pharcyde
4/5
Goddam if I didn't need this today. "Shot him in the ass on the down stroke"--say what? Don't know, don't care, it's awesome, though some of the lyrics haven't aged well.
Adam & The Ants
2/5
Little embarrassed to note that I bought this when it first came out--supposedly at the vanguard of a "new romantics" wave. I tried to like it but eventually had to admit defeat, though I still appreciate the punchy drums. I have no idea why it's on this list unless it's to serve as a warning to others.
New Order
3/5
Fun to feel like it's 1989 and I'm wearing Esprit cargo pants and a Benetton sweater....
Santana
3/5
The sound was a little muddy in places otherwise a good album if you like 70s rock: long jams, nice balance of the different instruments, some Latin rhythms lurking behind it all.
Joe Ely
3/5
Enjoyed the country sound; suspect it doesn't sound nearly as interesting today because now all country music sounds like Ely's--so I'm missing how he was at the vanguard for "country rock"
Heaven 17
2/5
I love the album cover and was disappointed to realize this wasn't a collab between Pavement and a group named Penthouse, which would have been so much more interesting... never liked that 80's electronic pop which peaked with Human League.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
I looked up this album to see if there was a good reason it's part of this project and learned it's Wyatt's first album after a horrible accident rendered him paraplegic. This is awful but isn't a compelling reason for this album to be on this list. Is there a musical or artistic reason for this album to be on this list? Anyone?
This was fine though nothing really grabbed my attention. Bono has a good voice; music was solid, just a lot of plaintive urgency...
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Didn't enjoy this one as much as "You've come a long way" but not awful.
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
Enjoyed this for the most part (I found the last track a little grating) but I doubt I'll ever listen again--sorry, Whiggies.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
4/5
Legendary yet new to me! Nice spare-sounding country that I liked quite a bit, though falls short of Hank Williams-level genius.
Portishead
1/5
Thanks to this project, I now know what the love child of Robert Wyatt and Bjork sounds like and it is this. I will pay you to turn it off.
Tim Buckley
3/5
Fair to say the lyrics in "Move with Me" haven't aged well, but I really enjoyed the groove throughout this album.
Louis Prima
5/5
My Dad LOVED Louis Prima and would play him w/ Keely Smith all the time. I think he imagined he and my Mom as a version of them. So I can't listen to this objectively, and it was great to hear him again, especially "The Lip" which I always loved. Here's to you, Dad!
Drive-By Truckers
2/5
I admire the ambition and the sound is pretty good, but the lyrics just miss the mark, staying in the cliche but not doing much with it. I kept thinking of Jerry Jeff Walker's "Up Against the Wall" and how much better that is.... but, naturally, we're not getting him on this project.
Motörhead
4/5
As a pretentious punker in the late 70's/early 80's, this was the only metal band I liked, and this was the only album I liked. I actually have an "Ace of Spades" button, waiting to pass on to another generation of Motorhead fans. Lyrics and guitars are good and driving. Only criticism is the vocals--not enough variety--could use a break from the screaming at times.
Dr. Octagon
2/5
as the album's name suggests, this is a blend of juvenile mindset with some good beats. I saw there was an instrumental version of this album--that was probably pretty good.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Rufus was new to me, and this album gets off to a good start--love the tuba esp in the first track. But by the end, the slightly nasal quality to his voice started to get to me. All in all, I enjoyed it but I would've voted a few tracks off the island to keep it a little tighter.
Hot Chip
3/5
I enjoyed this more than most synth pop but was surprised it wasn't from the 90s.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
a little lush, a little rocking, a little Talking Heads and a smidge of The Cure combine for a thoroughly good time.
The Killers
4/5
New to me album--enjoyed the slightly synth rock. Feel like the Island label had a good run in the late 70's / 80's.
Wilco
3/5
At some point I decided I wasn't listening to enough "new" music and ended up buying this album, which I did/do sort of enjoy. Tweedy's songwriting is good but could be great if he could just get out of his groove a bit. I would have loved this album if it had just been disc one.
The Slits
4/5
The Wet Leg of their time, perhaps, and nice to see quirky regain standing after hipster appropriation. Their cover of "Heard It Through the Grapevine" is brilliant and needs to be in a soundtrack somewhere.
Bert Jansch
3/5
I enjoyed this low-key Willie Nelson sounding album.
Harry Nilsson
5/5
What a treat--decades since I last heard this and I'm worse for that. Beautiful music with a profound lack of ego, so rare!
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Tough for me to rate: his music has never appealed to me--something about his harshness--but he's a good songwriter. I enjoyed this more than I expected to, but I don't think I'll ever listen again.
Fugazi
2/5
I was pretty wasted and stumbled into a club where this band was playing (this was 1991) and I thought it was Fugazi but they were really different than I thought they'd be but it turns out they were the Fugees, which is what I wish I'd been listening to instead.
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
I do like Pretty in Pink but mostly because it steals from Sweet Jane which is always a good thing. The rest didn't interest me too much but wasn't awful.
Tito Puente
5/5
Smooth as silk and rich as cream. If only my dancing was up to the task. I am unworthy.
Femi Kuti
3/5
Good music to work by--keeps you energized.
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
Good album with a Stones approach to the blues, sort of. Their songwriting falls a little short but I did enjoy this.
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
Enjoyed this more than I expected to. Got off to a great start with rather rocking Dominion / Mother Russia twofer. The lyrics were interesting and I liked the nod to Ozymandias. Sadly, I lost interest in the whole production early in the 3rd track. I was sucked in a few times after that, but only briefly.
Radiohead
3/5
The first two tracks were lovely in a wallowing in my depression kind of way--actually--that's how the best of this album is, and it's pretty good. There are a few tracks where the sound gets a little dissonant (the Nat'l Anthem track in particular) but for the most part I enjoyed the sad reality.
The Fall
3/5
Never listened to the Fall much and liked this one a lot, esp the Valley of the Dolls quote repeated in LA--nice.
Tom Waits
3/5
A polished, well-executed Tom Waits album.
JAY Z
3/5
Powerful start and Takeover is masterful--love the Bowie reference and I sense a whiff of the Doors in the edges. Izzo is a nice change of pace and the distant burst of the Jackson 5 is beautiful. Another good change of pace with Girls, Girls, Girls--solid. Jigga doesn't do a lot for me but isn't awful, and the slump continued until Hola Hovito picked things up. Heart of the City gets back to the first song with its power and confidence--works best when Jay Z can keep the drone out of his rap. Never Change brings back some lyrical sound but isn't all that great, Song Cry similar in that it introduces variety but doesn't seem all that great. Renegade features Eminem but also doesn't rise above the middle of the road. Strong ending with Blueprint, and the hidden Girls reprise is good. Overall, a decent album that could have been much better if they'd cut a few of the filler tunes.
Primal Scream
4/5
"Moving on up" got things going--but then we land in a sort of Groove Armada meets Ravi Shankar dimension with "Slip Inside This House." Settles down into funky music to work by (a little too repetitive) with the next few tracks. Picks up again with "Come Together" and did I hear "Suspicious Minds" in there? "Loaded" recalls the Stones; "I'm Coming Down" reminds me of Jesus and Mary Chain. Then, unfortunately, they get back in their rave lane with "Higher than the Sun" and the last track doesn't impress. Interesting album which could have been a great one had a few tracks been cut. Still, there are some great songs here.
Suede
3/5
Feels like a guilty pleasure listen, if all the songs were as good as The Power and New Generation. I respect their over-the-top sensibility and picture them as glam rockers with hearts of gold.
The Fall
3/5
Great album title! Well done but just not my thing.
The Darkness
2/5
listened to the first three songs; noted my hatred of the falsetto; acquired headache; stop listening.
The Flaming Lips
5/5
Loved this album--what a great sound and the lyrics are fresh, mundane, and fun. Favorite songs were the Spark That Bled, Suddenly Everything Had Changed, and the Gash.
Taylor Swift
3/5
This is a good album, not gonna lie. But listening to this fills me with rage at what an insecure fuck put together this list of 1001 albums because he clearly doesn't love the ladies. This album should be on this list. But to include this 2014 album and not include Robyn's 2010 Body Talk or even 2004 Robyn is just outrageous--pop supreme. Elsewhere, when I get yet another Bjork album I'll rail against only one Patti Smith but for now I'm gonna play tiny dancer Robyn to clarify the air.
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
It's just the way it is.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
I enjoyed this wistful Nick Cave album much more than his other albums, which have a harshness to them that grates. Still, don't think I'd listen again.
Q-Tip
3/5
smooth flow though not too memorable
John Cale
4/5
This was a treat this morning. It's not the best album but when it's good (tracks 1, 6, 7), it's fantastic.
The Cure
4/5
Not a big Cure fan but this is a great album for wallowing in the stew of your own depressing juices.
Can
3/5
Anyone else hear the Doors' LA Woman in "Halleluwah"? I enjoyed listening to this but am not as impressed as I think I'm supposed to be. Perhaps I should have worn headphones. Perhaps I should have taken the acid.
Blue Cheer
3/5
In the spirit of The Hit Man's "all pie is good pie" I'll say that all versions of "Summertime Blues" are good, though this one could've been a little faster. I couldn't help compare this to Deep Purple and MC5, and I'll give Blue Cheer credit for doing more with less and for doing it all a little earlier than those two bands. Still, the energy isn't there for me. Sorry, Blue Cheer.
Ride
2/5
A ride to nowhere with a meager vapor trail in its wake.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Stax house band? Yes, please. And also, you kind of see why they were a house band.
2/5
I like the album more when I moved from headphones to speakers. Also, felt a little like a cult initiation ceremony.
Ian Dury
2/5
I didn't like it then and I don't like it now. Maybe I don't have the right sense of humor. Maybe I don't care.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Great great album I've listened to so many times. The writing, the voice, the everything--36 brilliant minutes that trip through emotions, people, places, styles, etc beautifully. Classic breakup album if listening to the Cure's Disintegration on repeat isn't your thing.
The Monks
4/5
Wow, this was fun and fresh. I can't imagine what it would have been like to hear them live: like the scene in Back to the Future when Marty plays Johnny B. Goode at the prom and starts playing the guitar behind his head then lying on the floor while playing before he kicks over an amp. Go Monks Go!
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Can't fault this just because it's not my favorite Stones album. Great bluesy rock that goes on and on...
Cornershop
4/5
Wow, this was a treat! Brimful of Asha is an incredible ear worm. Great album which reminded me why I did this project: I'd never heard of these guys and now I want to listen on repeat.
The Specials
3/5
enjoyed this but doesn't wow me.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
I like her duets much better.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
enjoyed this more than other Leonard Cohen albums so, yes, I did want it darker.
Rush
3/5
I remember being cornered on a date being forced to listen to this album. I still don't understand Rush's appeal, but I'm giving it a 3 because at least they can do what they do.
2Pac
3/5
First two tracks get off to a sober start, and I like the Minnie Riperton sample elsewhere. I wish the rhythms and music were as interesting as the lyrics.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
I stopped listening during the song about the gang bang, which hasn't aged well and probably sucked in the first place.
Blur
3/5
Too jangly for my taste but well done.
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
Nope. Jazmine, you can do better. I feel like the guy who compiled this list doesn't really like female artists so just picks whoever someone said was good.
Big Star
4/5
Impressive debut and wonderful to hear "In the Street" in its native habitat. Wish we could've heard more from you, Big Star.
Kate Bush
2/5
I have no idea why anyone would listen to this ever. The last song, was someone moaning "Eeyore" over and over again?
Cocteau Twins
4/5
So I got this after getting Kate Bush's "The Dreaming" yesterday and first felt despair but after listening am happy. This is weird done well. I looked up the lyrics as I was listening but realized that was a mistake--best not to know. Just enjoy the airy bubbles of pop.
The Auteurs
3/5
innocuous British pop. not actually new wave music. not actually auteurs. but it's fine.
The Byrds
3/5
solid 60s sound--> don't think I'd listen again but didn't mind listening to it this morning. Only the first song about speed was familiar to me because it was on an album I got for Hanukah when I was a kid: "Do It Now" --a sentiment I always thought was a little weird coming from my parents
Tori Amos
3/5
I listened, hoping I would be more impressed than I was when I first heard Tori Amos. But I wasn't. I just don't like her sound or her songwriting, though I give her credit for doing what she likes, and at least she's coherent.
Stephen Stills
3/5
"Love the One You're With" is a great song; the rest of the album isn't bad but it's also not as good.
Giant Sand
3/5
Feels more like a solo album than the work of a band, and the singer's voice reminded me of Lou Reed's, esp in "Satellite." I found this easy to listen to while working but I don't feel compelled to listen again.
The Cure
2/5
After the pleasure of hearing "Disintegration" on this project, I'm back to the Cure I know and don't like very much. Dude screaming rather than singing while the band wallows in the distance.
The Charlatans
3/5
pretty good album: I like the band's sound for the most part, but the lead singer's voice grates after a while and too many of their songs sound the same. This band is worth a second look though.
The Beach Boys
5/5
I'm three songs in and here are my thoughts in order of having:
1. omg I'm a-gonna give this 5 stars the way I'd give the Shaggs 5 stars
2. this is your brain on drugs
Now I'm 4 songs in and I just feel sad, kind of like the cover of this album. This sadness, melancholia if you will, remained well past the music.
The Blue Nile
3/5
I enjoyed this much more when I put on headphones. For fans of Peter Gabriel, I think.
The Beta Band
2/5
Confession: I was one of those people who bought The Three E.P.s after watching "High Fidelity". And I felt kinda ripped off, which shouldn't have been a surprise considering it was also how I felt after watching the movie. And now I feel even more ripped off. It's like the Beta Band got onto a good thing with the repetition in "Dry the Rain" and decided to just do that all the time. Go to hell, Beta Band.
Baaba Maal
3/5
got off to a good start but didn't seem to build much--felt a little like background music--enjoyable though
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
I don't think I needed any Rufus before I died let alone two albums by him. Here are some albums to hear instead which aren't on the list at all for no good reason: Robyn "Body Talk"; Robyn "Robyn", Patti Smith "Radio Ethiopia," Hank Williams "Hank Williams Sings," Steve Miller Band "Fly Like an Eagle," The Supremes "Where Did Our Love Go." Etc.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Breakfast in Bed and Preacher Man are standouts; wish the rest of the album was as good or as interesting.
The Shamen
3/5
listened to 90% of this and thought it was fine background music, then I got onto Facebook and a friend mentioned an album by this French rock band called Magma where they invented a language and also a sci fi story about a bunch of people leaving earth for a new planet and I highly recommend you listen to "Kobaia" by this group because it's awesome. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magma_(Magma_album)
UB40
3/5
I like my reggae a little punchier--more sativa than indica.
Portishead
3/5
This is the Portishead I know and don't actively hate! When the album ended, it started up again and I didn't even notice. Well done, Portishead.
Sebadoh
3/5
This one really threw me. They don't seem to stay in a particular lane; I got notes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Sabbath, and a whiff of Wilco in "Homemade." I think they're capable of a really great album: (they can play, they can write, they can sing) but this wasn't it.
Daft Punk
3/5
Enjoyed the first 10 tracks but started to get annoyed during"Rock and Roll"--not enough texture in the last tracks to keep me interested.
Beck
3/5
I liked Lord Only Knows, Where It's At, and Sissyneck a lot and the rest was okay.
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
I enjoyed Young Livers the most of these songs. Mostly a miss from me; the way the album was recorded makes it sound too distant, and I found myself thinking about how much I like the Ramones and Jay Reatard while listening.
Japan
3/5
I bought a Japan album back in the day and wish it had been this one; I'd have liked it more. Their cover of All Tomorrow's Parties and the title track are the superstars here.
The The
4/5
Great to hear this album again! This is The Day and Giant are my favorite tracks, but the whole is a fun throwback listen: makes me want to put on my Esprit cargo pants and roll up the sleeves of my double-breasted cotton blazer.
The Soft Boys
5/5
Wow--loved it! Years ago a friend told me I had to get Robyn Hitchock's "Eye" which I did and loved immediately (and which should be on this list) but I never got into more of Hitchcock other than trying his run with the Egyptians which I didn't dig. But this is awesome. "I Wanna Destroy You" is anthem-level greatness and, per usual, there's the one song that kind of ruins the run. Here it's "Old Pervert" which I'll forgive because the rest is so solid.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
Listening to The Soft Boys put me in a good mood, so I'm liking Frankie more than I ever did, especially their bass player who's bringing a John Deacon-like vibe. Love the covers, esp Born to Run which is about a million times better than the Boss's. I'm not surprised to read the band disintegrated--this album is high concept and executed so well--esp for a debut (!?)--where could they go but down? Still, wish they'd cut the last 5 tracks.
Soft Cell
2/5
A little song, a little dance, a little synth down your 80s cargo pants.
2/5
I worked on this archaeological dig in Israel where two guys who were in seminary to be monks were in charge of dealing with all the buckets of dirt we'd sifted through. They made a complete replica of Tolkien's hobbit shire out of these buckets of dirt. One time I accidentally walked in on them hanging their freshly washed underwear and even though they were fully clothed they were horrified that I saw their underwear on a clothesline. I bet they really liked this album.
King Crimson
3/5
I think I need to be a little more wasted to get into this but not bad. Our group got a Yes album yesterday and if we're pitting prog vs prog then King Crimson for the win.
John Lennon
3/5
While I've heard the title song a bunch of times, I never listened to the album before and you know what? I didn't miss a lot. For diehard fans, I think.
Richard Thompson
3/5
prefer shoot out the lights but still pretty good
Miles Davis
5/5
Doesn't get any better than this.
The Human League
2/5
Started listening and immediately thought of the fake hit "PoP! Goes My Heart (see Hugh Grant shake his ass at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVkU8dDSC9w) from the movie "Music and Lyrics." Watched that video and realized it's about as good as Dare!
Slipknot
1/5
I'm listening to this only out of respect for Andrew Gosden, a 14 year old boy who disappeared after cutting school and taking the train to London. Last seen wearing a black Slipknot T-shirt.
Saint Etienne
3/5
The dialogue from "House of Games" (great movie!) redeems this album a little, but as a whole it's a meandering not-unpleasant trip. I found tracks 10-13 the best of the bunch.
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
Solid album. Grinding guitar sounded at times like Jay Reatard's on Blood Visions, though here a little more dizzying.
Adele
3/5
Hello is a good song, but the rest wasn't quite up to it-- a little too much of her making a big deal, vocally, with lyrics that weren't all that interesting.
Jerry Lee Lewis
5/5
Fun with some fierce intensity--you feel as if Lewis earned his "Killer" nickname honestly. What a great show that must have been. I created an Amazon playlist of all the songs in the order played in case that's of interest (I saw that the Amazon version of the album was missing a few songs so went down a rabbit hole to get them all). Here's the playlist: https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/48a70b6c1a2c4595b603bb91140bf8cfsune?ref=dm_sh_5950-9e7c-52a8-2071-e663f
Madonna
4/5
Like a Prayer, Express Yourself, and Cherish are so good, they earn the 4 stars, and I'm sorry the rest kept this album from being even greater. Loved the last track too--great guitar on that one.
Korn
3/5
New to Korn, and I enjoyed this a lot more than I though I would--more interesting and stranger than I expected. I believe I might actually listen to this again.
The War On Drugs
4/5
Nice album. Track 1 is my favorite; enjoyed the hints of Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen in a few songs. Mellow kind of spacey rock.
Grateful Dead
3/5
I've seen the Dead live a few times--enjoyed them though not a huge fan. So this seemed fine to me; I think I'm incapable of appreciating it more, and I'm sure this is unfair to them.
Chicago
4/5
I never got into Chicago, but the guitar on this album is amazing and new to me. Giving it a 4 for the free-form guitar solo and the last track, Liberation. Amazing!
CHIC
3/5
I was surprised we got this and not their album Risque (which I now see is in my future). I enjoy their sound but not sure this album is 1001-worthy.
Pavement
3/5
Good album; fresh sound. A few songs hurt my ears, e.g. conduit for sale, but worthy of another listen.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
She's good but I wish she'd do stronger material and that it didn't feel as if she was dialing it in so much.
3/5
This reminded me of a theater piece I saw once which consisted of six actors playing multiple characters as they enacted the last two minutes of all of Ibsen's plays. High concept doesn't make for great art but it is a thing to be appreciated, sort of.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
Wow, I enjoyed this so much more than I expected to, especially given how overplayed "Come on Eileen" was back in the day. Nice range on the album and anyone who invokes Jackie Wilson gets a star in my grade book!
Paul Revere & The Raiders
2/5
I generally love music from this era but I couldn't get into this album. Stepping Stone is a great song but their version isn't the best, and they didn't write it. Kicks is pretty good, but the rest is so underwhelming I'm sticking with a 2. Sorry, Paul.
Gotan Project
3/5
enjoyed this album but not sure I'd listen again.
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
great blend of east and west; listened several times and found it captivating
Tom Waits
4/5
I enjoyed this mostly for the Brecht influence--it would have made a great opera. Also liked the mix of sounds. Not really my thing but well-done.
Sonic Youth
3/5
I enjoyed this album more than Daydream Nation--more interesting, nice rough sound--but I'm still peeved that we there are FIVE sonic youth albums given how many solid artists aren't represented at all. Getting back to Sonic Youth, I think I'm more of a greatest hits girl wrt their output--when they're on, I really like them, but on every album there are usually only one or two songs I really like.
Donovan
2/5
The title track is much much better than anything else on the album, which otherwise sounds almost like a parody of itself, except if it were a parody, it would be better. I think I heard Donovan yawn on the 2nd or 3rd track.
Badly Drawn Boy
4/5
Completely new to me and I loved it. Beautifully done and the songs work together to conjure a world. Dense without taking itself too seriously.
Beatles
3/5
I love the Beatles but this isn't an exceptional album and didn't need to be part of this project. Meet the Beatles would've been a better choice to highlight their early work.
Queen Latifah
3/5
great first album and hard to believe she was 19 at the time. I love the variety of sounds and samples and wish the rapping was the same level as all the other music.
The Who
3/5
I was never a fan of The Who or of Tommy, and over the years, I've grown more appreciative of their impact and the sound itself, but at the end of the day, I'm still giving it a 3.
Astor Piazzolla
4/5
enjoyed this--felt as if I was at a classical performance.
The Jam
3/5
Solid, though not the greatness of Sound Affects. Highlights are the cover of David Watts and Bruce Foxton's bass.
Joy Division
5/5
There's a bunch of music which, when it came out, I opted not to get involved with because it all seemed overwhelming. Joy Division, New Order, all the post-punk indy stuff from England seemed to blend into one broody swirl which I decided not to try and get my head around. Aren't the Sex Pistols enough? But I listened to this album this morning, and I love it. This is one of those album which you feel in your bones--you're not going to sing along or dance--you're just going to listen and admire the vision, the execution, the sound. The closest I can get to describing it is saying this is what I wished Echo and the Bunnymen had sounded like when I first listened to them: less romantic, more stripped down.
U2
3/5
3 Courics for Bono and 3 stars for U2! __because I'm just not into them__
Steve Earle
4/5
New to me: album kicks off to a great start and keeps up the quality with a few dips into sentimental stuff that's not quite as interesting (Little Rock 'n Roller). Reminds me of when I first hear Randy Travis's album "Old 8 X 10"--a handful of really good country.
Talking Heads
3/5
Of the first four Talking Heads albums, two are terrific and one, Remain in Light, is a masterpiece. This is the other one.
Nirvana
5/5
Incredible album--Cobain's writing is amazing, the music is too, and the entire sound was so fresh when it came out, it made everyone else on the radio sound out of date, over, done.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
I'm not a fan of their sound--a little noisy for me--but this seemed like a strong album for their fans.
Alice In Chains
2/5
Almost worth listening to for the relief you feel when you turn it off.
PJ Harvey
3/5
I enjoy the concept more than the album but I can see why it's on this list.
System Of A Down
2/5
The band name is the best part.
The Zombies
3/5
Enjoyed but their songs tend to sound a little similar.
The Young Rascals
3/5
Fun but not too interesting for me. Groovin is a good song though!
Iron Maiden
3/5
Did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. That said, I didn't really like it as much as appreciate a few of the rhythms and some nice guitar.
Miles Davis
3/5
I really enjoyed the first track, though it took me a few minutes to warm up to it. The title track had an offputting tone to it--I'm not sure if it was the recording or my headphones or what was going on but there was a low tone which didn't resonate with me.
The Fall
3/5
I've never knowingly listened to The Fall but once this album started I recognized them as the guys behind Cruisers Creek, which I always kind of liked, kind of got nauseated to, sort of the way I feel about Nick Cave. This album is better than Cruisers Creek--interesting, intellectual, but I don't know if I'll relisten.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Incredibly well-written even If the music and vocals don't always grab me. The run of great songs: The Long Honeymoon to Man Out of Time to Almost Blue to And in Every Home is amazing. Am I the only one who hears "guilty feet have got no rhythm" in Town Cryer?
The Who
4/5
I'm not a big Who fan but you gotta give it to them with My Generation and The Kids Are Alright. Instant classics! The rest of the songs are not too distinctive--sounds like they're still imitating others a little--but I did like how I heard a little of "Substitute" in "Much Too Much"
Drive Like Jehu
4/5
I always like it when I can't tell between the album's name and the artist's name when I get my album of the day, and today was one of those days. Better than most punk / metal / hardcore hybrids, and I want them to do a show with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
The Icarus Line
2/5
Another band where I can't tell which is the album name and which is the artist. Doesn't really matter; this wasn't that interesting. They played some music and screamed for a while. I think they were upset about something.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
"Respect" and "Do Right Woman" are the stars and the rest isn't good enough to compel me to listen again. Those two songs are pretty good though!
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Great album. I knew a few of the songs but hadn't listened to the album before. Tight blend of folksy bluesy countryish rock--reminds me of The Band, especially "Wrote a Song for Everyone"
Taylor Swift
3/5
Feels like Taylor Swift can make an okay song out of anything and that this is pretty much what the album feels like. Her voice isn't quite all there, especially in the lower registers, and neither are the songs, but it's all good enough. I've heard some really good Swift songs (Blank Space, Shake It Off) and none of them are on this album, so I question why this album of all her albums?
Duran Duran
2/5
Glad when it ended. Not my tempo.
The Avalanches
2/5
I listened to this and was intrigued for about 30 seconds then I turned it down and only perked up again when it restarted for those 1st 30 seconds.
The Crusaders
3/5
Felt like I was in an 80's movie montage, where it's night and the hero walks home along city streets and it's just rained so everything seems a little cleaner than it really is.
The Young Gods
2/5
Did someone just scream "d'accord" at me for a few minutes? I'm sorry, I don't think you can mix the French language and metal. I feel like I'm in a Monty Python language lab skit.
Tricky
4/5
Wow, I really enjoyed this laid back rap / vocals collaboration. The highlight was Black Steel which involved Public Enemy lyrics to great effect. Well done and I definitely will listen to this again. It's Tricky (to rock a rhyme, to rock...)!
Fugees
5/5
Love this album and was so excited when it came up in the rotation! Listened three times in a row....
The Verve
3/5
favorite part was the song History which started with lines from William Blake's poem about London. The rest was fine--didn't really grab me.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
The songwriting seemed a little weak and forced; the music was strong.
Prefab Sprout
3/5
this was okay, though I really didn't like "appetite" the album as a whole seemed fine.
Janis Joplin
5/5
I've listened and sung along to this record hundreds of times over the past 50+ years. I once sang all of Mercedes Benz to my mother while on a car ride and she thought it was pretty good and that I should write it down. She was right!
Jane's Addiction
3/5
a mix of highs and low, highs being Jane Says and the first two songs and lows being the 7+ minutes of someone screaming sex is violent and the pigs in zen ramble.
T. Rex
4/5
Great, lots of fun. Early glam rock with psychedelic tendencies. Almost every track shines in its own odd way.
Orange Juice
3/5
A little all over the place in terms of style and sound but in general sort of a pop blend of a whole bunch of trends. Think Tom Tom Club but not as good.
The Prodigy
2/5
Yeah, well, it was a thing I listened to. Not awful. Not very interesting.
M.I.A.
1/5
omg I hated this so much, I'm sorry. I did listen to "Paper Planes" after (which I heard before but didn't realize it was her, and I do like that song), but this album felt like a teenage girl making songs in her room which were about as good as the songs I'd make in my room when I was a kid. Seriously, the cantankerous bitch in me feels she got an easy pass on that album because she's a minority and female and it was a sort of "fresh voice" kind of thing--I dunno. Not impressed.
Aerosmith
3/5
enjoyed Sweet Emotion the most; solid album for the fans
GZA
4/5
I loved this--had it on repeat for a few hours and still want to listen again. Great coming-of-age vibe.
Steve Winwood
3/5
As soon as it started, I remembered why I don't care for Steve Winwood, but I'll give it to him: this album was remarkably consistent and those who like him probably really like this album.
The Temptations
3/5
Always nice to hear Motown in the morning!
Jethro Tull
4/5
need me that weird little flute https://youtu.be/d64K_QJkLbk?si=j1BQ4K9MXjOxXv4t
Finley Quaye
3/5
Got off to a rough start but I really liked Sunday Shining and a few other tracks. Nice debut!
The United States Of America
4/5
I liked getting this album--this is why I stick with this project no matter how many PJ Harvey albums there are. Lots of fun listening and kudos to the band for delivering on their vision.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
The first track was so horrible I almost did a Did Not Listen but I gutted it out and the rest was fine. Seriously, that first song made me feel physically ill.
George Michael
3/5
I tried to listen without prejudice but I don't think that's really possible, especially when it says "vol 1" like it's a threat.... the best songs here sound a lot like "Faith" which is a pretty good song. For GM fans mostly.
The The
2/5
I remember being disappointed with this band when they first came out and listening to this album didn't change my impression. There's a lot of talking and sounds from instruments not quite music not quite interesting.
Tim Buckley
1/5
Usually I find it pretty easy to separate the art from the artist but then again, usually the art is pretty good. Here, not so much. Whiny songs sung by a whiner who was a shit dad. He gets one star which is actually my middle finger.
Gorillaz
3/5
I really like the Clint Eastwood song, as well as the general concept of a virtual band, but most of the songs didn't really grab me.
Roxy Music
4/5
First half is brilliant, not so much the second half.
Ananda Shankar
3/5
The Jumping Jack Flash cover didn't work for me, but Light My Fire did well with the sitar, and I really liked the last track.
The Byrds
3/5
wtf is happening at the end of the 3rd track. I'm not looking it up, either.
Rock and roll star is a classic with the genius horn being basically the lead singer and the band singing backup to it. So cool.
The next track is great 60's pop, cue black and white film of a mod chick sauntering through London.
And then we have the third track, which I guess is when the drugs kicked in.
The next song is an ode to a RenFest. It's just what you think.
Album moves into a kind of talky jangly sound where the drummer seems really really bad.
Everybody's Been Burned at this point includes you, the listener.
Even My Back Pages plods along despite the Nobel lyrics. Sorry, Bob. The drummer, imho, is a problem.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
1/3rd of this album is amazing, fresh, lively (tracks 1, 2, 4, 7). The rest is not.
Spiritualized
4/5
The first and last tracks are the best, and they have some good quiet moments throughout. I'm behind in my albums so I see that tomorrow will be Lana Del Rey, and this band sounds a little like the band version of her.. sometimes trite, sometimes awful ("The Individual"), but sometimes great in a melancholy nostalgic sort of way.
Lana Del Rey
2/5
The only song of hers I know is "Video Games" which I really love despite its flaws. Sadly, it wasn't on this mediocre album.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
Pretentious bullshit.
Funkadelic
3/5
This only took off for me with "Cholly" which I didn't realize was the album's last track because I was listening to the EP, and the next two songs, with Cholly, were the best part. Not their greatest but they've got the funk.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Dag, dude was in a bad place when this album started. Dirt Road Blues is a good antidote, but then he gets right back into it with Standing in the Doorway. I don't even want to know what was going on. Not his best but halfway through it's getting there.
Crowded House
3/5
Enjoyed this quirky band, though none of the songs lingered with me, though the one about Italian plastic hit hard--I once paid more than you would think for an Italian plastic lamp.
Sugar
3/5
I wanted this to be a little better than it was, but still it was pretty good. Felt like classic American rock, in a sort of Wilco vein, if Wilco had drunk a lot of coffee and taken an enormous shit before playing and so felt lighter and a bit happier, or maybe just more satisfied. I admire their way of teasing a rhythm out of a long string of words, just wish it was all slightly more memorable.
Miriam Makeba
3/5
Enjoyed this but I wonder if there are better albums for her. This felt a little like a greatest hits album. Also, I can't stop hearing that Jain song Makeba in my head now.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
4/5
I've completely underestimated them! Tracks 5-8 are very familiar and I was never a big fan, but the other tracks are a lot more fun musically. Not on the original album but on the expanded edition are the two live recordings which are the best part.
Sufjan Stevens
3/5
Nice voice and lovely music passes through your ears and very little sticks. His songs are a little like the songs you make up while you're going about your day "chopping broccoli, etc"
Patti Smith
5/5
This album was on permanent repeat when I was 16 in 1980, though the heavier "Radio Ethiopia" will always be my favorite p. smith album. Finally, a female role model who wasn't conventionally pretty, cute, sexy and who didn't seem at all concerned about it. She had more interesting things to do, such as blend French surrealism with Motown and her poetry and perform with her band. Shame on this list for including only one of her albums while having multiples of (looking at the Bs) Beck, Belle & Sebastian, Bjork, Blur, Tim Buckley, and Kate Bush. List dude's the kind of wanker she didn't give a shit about.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
First time listener and I really liked the mildly dreamy yet lively songs. Well done.
Afrika Bambaataa
4/5
Great fun and funky dance music still sounds great nearly 40 years later.
Talvin Singh
3/5
I enjoyed this but it felt more like ambient background music, which I don't think was intended.
John Lennon
2/5
Working Class Hero stands out but the rest made me think John should have joined Brian Wilson in his sandbox to work out his issues there.
Screaming Trees
4/5
Good album that was new to me. I especially liked "Look At You" but the entire album is solid.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Love how the first song seems to start mid-sentence, and Green Shirt is especially wonderful. I wish the tempo would vary more, even the slower songs like Party Girl could slow down more so you can appreciate his brilliant writing.
Method Man
3/5
Wasn't blown away but didn't mind it either. I'm probably not the target audience.
Alice Cooper
3/5
Not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be, and Cooper has a pretty good voice. I looked it up to see if this was his debut album (would've liked it even more then) and read this gem from wikipedia: "The vinyl record inside was wrapped in a pair of panties, though this was later discontinued as the paper panties were found to be flammable."
The Cure
3/5
This is fine; like a warmup or cooldown for Disintegration which is a genuinely good album.
Johnny Cash
3/5
Great songs but not the best renditions of them. Still, "A Boy Named Sue' makes it worthwhile (and reminds me, again, that Shel Silverstein is much more than a children's author).
Prince
4/5
bought this when it first came out yet today may have been the first time I listened to side 2. Side 1 is bullet-proof dance music; side 2 is the other side!
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
I'd like a little less talk and a little more rock.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Album equivalent to Philip Larkin's poem "Aubade": great work by a great artist facing his final years "Being brave / lets no one off the grave. / Death is no different whined at than withstood."
Neneh Cherry
3/5
I liked Buffalo Stance and want Neneh and Sabrina to do a "Manchild" battle. After the first few songs, the album started to feel a little repetitive and her rapping got predictable.
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
I own volume 4 of this (tracks 33 to 44) and have enjoyed it over the years; now I realize that's by far the best cut.
Slayer
2/5
Music was pretty good throughout but the only good vocals and lyrics was the scream before the rant in Angel of Death. They should have stuck to screaming with maybe a few grunts, groans, and wails thrown in for variety.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
The little I know of Janelle Monáe has always intrigued me and this album did not disappoint. Sometimes it works (Tightrope) and sometimes it falls a little short (Wondaland) but she stays true to her vision and the whole is a lot of fun. Great debut album.
Tangerine Dream
3/5
I think this would have been a lot better if I was wasted and at a laser light show or maybe a planetarium.
Sepultura
2/5
Not interesting to me. Sorry Sepultura.
Pink Floyd
3/5
While I was excited to hear Pink Floyd's first album, I wasn't all that excited by the music which didn't portend the great albums in their future. Still, happy to have heard it even if I doubt I'll listen again.
Stephen Stills
3/5
I've had this on repeat for the past few hours and nothing much has stuck. Many tunes are vaguely familiar, with riffs or tunes from folk music, or pop, or hymns. It all sort of sails along like sitting on a screened porch in the summer, half reading, half napping, and before you know it, it's gotten dark and time to go inside wondering what you did all afternoon.
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Beautiful album with variety yet a common tone throughout. I have no idea what he's saying, but he sure sounds good saying.
Minor Threat
2/5
Yeah, they've got their punk vibe but they're lacking something, they seem kind of full of themselves and a little humorless. My first thought during the first song was "there is no joy in Mudville."
Love
5/5
I played this album constantly for a few years so my relationship with it is a little irrational. I love the sound, the vocals, the writing, even when the writing isn't very good....
Sonic Youth
2/5
Never really liked them: they just sound unpleasant, discordant to me. I'm just not into them.
Michael Jackson
3/5
Silky smooth stylings haven't aged well though this may have sounded more interesting in 1979.
The Triffids
3/5
The first song caught my attention--liked it. The rest didn't grab me but I can see this band's appeal.
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
Kacey Musgraves seems to have a box for her music: inoffensive lyrics with the occasionally clever or occasionally clumsy twist; inoffensive backing tracks with never a surprise or an interesting musical twist; nice vocals which risk nothing, etc. It adds up to a boring album.
Scritti Politti
2/5
ugh this is not at all what I thought it would be given the name. It's singing dolphins with some synth.
De La Soul
5/5
What a treat! The magic number is 5.
The Only Ones
4/5
Good album--not quite new wave or punk or anything in particular--the musicians are good and the songs catch your attention. I especially liked the Zombie overtones in "Breaking Down" (shades of "She's Not There") and the instrument solos throughout.
The Cramps
5/5
So much fun though I wish they'd chosen Psychedelic Jungle instead. How can anyone stay seated when TV Set is on?
Fats Domino
3/5
I suspect there are much better Fats Domino albums out there--probably his live albums. This didn't do much for me.
Aerosmith
4/5
"Back in the Saddle" blew my mind--did someone yodel in the background? Mood change to the slightly trippy funky "Last Child," which steals a line from "Nitty Gritty"--nice. The rest isn't quite as good, though "Nobody's Fault" comes closest, and you gotta love the sincerity of it all.
Scott Walker
2/5
I'd never heard of him before; he seems like an interesting guy--I wonder if this is the best album to represent him? Great voice but I didn't like his interpretations or song choices very much.
Bad Company
3/5
I bet they were better live.
Frank Ocean
3/5
Very mixed about this: like the concept and lots of this sort of works, but he doesn't sound comfortable with his voice and everything sounded like a little off.
Nirvana
4/5
Love the desperate energy, the harsher sound, and the sadness beneath it all, esp in Radio Friendly Unit Shifter.
Jacques Brel
3/5
I'd have chosen the 1965 Reprise album "Jacques Brel" over this one but what you gonna do? Love Amsterdam, Les Vieux, and Les Timides especialment.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
I was 13 when this came out and I checked it out repeatedly from the library. I don't think I've listened to it since then... what a masterpiece--flawed, a little overwrought--but still each song a variation on a theme while being, for the most part, a great song.
David Ackles
3/5
Wild getting this album so soon after getting Jacques Brel and Scott Walker. Though I didn't like Scott Walker much, David Ackles is a different story--he's the closest I've heard to an American Jacques Brel with complex songs, lots of nuances and intonations, interesting music, etc. This album didn't really appeal to me (same with the Brel choice for this project) but sadly, unlike Brel, there's not a lot out there to love. I went back to listen to Down River which seems to be one of his most covered songs--lovely. Wish he'd hung in with his music longer.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Mixed results here: I really liked "I Want You," Battered Old Bird," and "Crimes of Paris," and really hated "Tokyo Storm Warning" to the point of nausea, and wondering what other song did that song sound just like? So I'm going to be all 6 7 about it ...
Merle Haggard
3/5
Really enjoyed this, esp Drink Up and Be Somebody, and/but the only way "If You Want To Be A Woman" could be any creepier is if it were sung by Jerry Lee Lewis.
Death In Vegas
4/5
New to me, and I really liked this mix of electronic music and rock. More active than ambient music with great rhythms, textures, and occasional vocals. Something you'd listen to while driving across an interesting landscape, maybe at dawn.
The Replacements
3/5
fine sprightly rock, maybe don't need to know Gary had a boner. The song about the answering machine didn't age well. Still, good period piece.
Madonna
2/5
You'd think with all her resources she could have bought herself a far better album. Autotune can't save her voice and apparently no one had the guts to tell her that her lyrics suck too.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
I remember in the early 80s when I came across this album in my aunt's record collection. I didn't get into it then and didn't really get into it now, but I suspect for those in the audience it was a magical experience.